Prayer.
O Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.
Sixteenth Day.
The Church cries out a welcome to the advent of Christ, during this time; making us feel as if we sat in darkness, as if we were as degraded as was man before the coming of the Messias: “O Wisdom,” she cries out, “Who camest forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching in Thy strength from end to end, and sweetly disposing all things, come teach us the way of prudence.” The first title given to Jesus is that of Wisdom, the eternal Wisdom of God, and the source of all wisdom to men for all time. The eternal Word disposes all things sweetly: everything that happens in heaven and on earth is arranged by Him, not unkindly, nor harshly, but sweetly. We invite Him to come and [pg 518] teach us the ways of prudence, because where there is prudence all must be well. Teach me, O Jesus, the lesson of prudence, which will guide me safely to the kingdom of heaven. The prophet Micheas says of the Child to be born in Bethlehem: “His going forth is from the beginning from the days of eternity.” O divine Wisdom, how strong art Thou, in thus reaching Thine ends by means which are infallible though hidden!
Prayer.
O Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.
Seventeenth Day.
O Adonai and Leader of the house of Israel, Who didst appear to Moses in the fire of the flaming bush, and didst give him the Law on Sinai, come and save us with a stretched forth arm! O sovereign, almighty Lord, come to redeem us! Heretofore Thou didst show Thyself to Moses in a fiery bush, Thou didst give Thy Law to Thy people amidst thunder and lightning on Mount Sinai; come and redeem us now in the goodness of Thy Heart, in kindness and love. Thy chaste Mother, having heard the emperor's edict, which obliges her and Joseph, her spouse, to repair to Bethlehem, prepares everything needful for Thy divine birth. She makes ready the humble swaddling-clothes which are to cover and protect Thee from the cold of that midnight hour. Thus it is that Thou willest to deliver us from the slavery of pride, and to show man that Thy divine arm is never stronger than when he thinks it powerless. Everything is prepared for Thy reception, [pg 519] except our hearts, which still await Thy holy grace, which is to change them, and make them fit temples for Thy abode.