THE   FIRST   CHRISTMAS   EVE

" AS FOR MYSELF,

I AM ABSORBED IN A PROFOUND RAPTURE :

THE FACE OF THE FATHER IS REVEALED TO ME,

AND

I CONTEMPLATE THE DIVINE MYSTERY OF HIS MERCIFUL LOVE ;

THE WORD,

WHO HAS TAKEN HUMAN FORM IN MY VIRGINAL WOMB,

BECOMES PRESENT IN MY MOTHERLY ARMS AS A NEWBORN BABE,

AND

I COVER HIM WITH KISSES AND TEARS ;

THE HOLY SPIRIT LOOKS WITH PLEASURE ON THE FRUIT OF HIS OVERSHADOWING. "

FROM-------NO-508-------THIS HOLY NIGHT

" TO THE PRIESTS-------OUR LADY'S BELOVED SONS "

THE MARIAN MOVEMENT OF PRIESTS

24TH   DECEMBER   1993

" THE GENTLE AND LOVING ASSISTANCE OF MY MOST CHASTE SPOUSE,

JOSEPH, SURROUNDS ME LIKE A CARESS.

IT IS HE WHO SEEKS TO MAKE THE PLACE MORE HOSPITABLE ;

WHO PREPARES THE CRIB IN A WARMER MANGER ;

WHO LOOKS ABOUT FOR A SHIELD AGAINST THE RIGOR OF THE COLD ;

WHO STAYS CLOSE TO ME AND JOINS IN MY GREAT PRAYER ;

WHO SEES THE HEAVENS OPEN ;

WHO CONTEMPLATES IN WONDER THE PRODIGY,

HEARS THE SONG OF THE ANGELS AND IS CONSCIOUS OF THE PEACE

WHICH COMES DOWN FROM HEAVEN ;

WHO OPENS THE DOOR TO THE POOR AND THE LITTLE ONES

AND GRACIOUSLY ACCEPTS THE SIMPLE GIFTS OF THE SHEPHERDS. "

FROM-------NO-508-------THIS HOLY NIGHT

" TO THE PRIESTS-------OUR LADY'S BELOVED SONS "

THE MARIAN MOVEMENT OF PRIESTS

24TH   DECEMBER   1993