who receive CHRIST with good-will, and do not oppose or persecute: for to the wicked there is no peace, but great peace have they who love Thy Name, O LORD. A Christian hath true peace; he is not separated from the will of GOD, he delighteth alone in the things that are GOD's. To have peace with GOD is to will what God willeth, to loathe what He forbids. Therefore is grace announced to men of good-will, but to bad men there is no peace. By this word of the Angel it is evident that that peace which was predicted by the Prophets as about to be at the Advent of CHRIST, was an inward peace; and the peace which then prevailed throughout the Roman Empire, was a figure of it. Well it is that it was said by the angels, Glory to GOD, and peace to men, because by CHRIST, GOD the FATHER is glorified, and peace is made between GoD and man, between angels and men, between Jews and Gentiles. This is the day which the LORD hath made, in which it is duly fitting that we should exult and be glad, for in it the Devil lost his right, and the world received salvation. The Angelic host was associated with the announcing Angel, instructing us thereby to give praise to God. The Angels then ascended to heaven with joy and song, and the whole company of heaven gave thanks to GOD the FATHER, and came to look upon the Face of their LORD; and worshipping Him, they sounded out their song of praise.

The shepherds then said one to another, Let us now go, even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the LORD hath made known to us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph,

and the Babe lying in a Manger. They came with haste, from great joy and desire to see the Infant born. In this we see their devotion and anxiety for seeking; for no one slothfully seeking CHRIST can find Him.

And when the Shepherds had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Those who would spiritually find CHRIST must hold converse with Holy Scripture by reading and devout meditation. Let us follow the example of these Shepherds, and go even unto Bethlehem, the city of David, meditating on, reverencing, loving, and celebrating the Incarnation of CHRIST, with due honour and praise. Let us go, laying aside carnal lusts, to the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Let us reflect upon it with love, for the Word was made Flesh, and ascended thither in the Flesh, and there sitteth on the Right Hand of GOD the FATHER. Thither let us follow Him with all our hearts, and strive to be made meet to see Him Whom the Shepherds saw in the Manger, now reigning at His FATHER'S Right Hand. Such blessedness is not to be sought coldly and slothfully, but by earnestly following the footsteps of CHRIST.

And the Shepherds went away with great joy, and returned to the keeping of their flocks, glorifying GOD in their hearts, and praising Him with their lips, as the Author and Creator, in all that they had heard from the Angel, and had seen with their own eyes in Bethlehem. They exalted GOD, and praised Him for

so great a blessing conferred on the whole world, and shown to them in particular. And after contemplating their Saviour, they returned to their flocks, giving an example to spiritual pastors, that when others sleep, they should watch and go to the study of the Sacred Scripture, to be refreshed with the heavenly Bread of Divine doctrine, and then return to their flocks.

Go then in spirit to Bethlehem, and adore the Word made Flesh, kneeling down and worshipping the LORD Who came to sinners for their salvation, and conversed humbly with them. Mingle thy prayers with the heavenly melody, chanting with all thy heart "Glory to GOD in the highest." Shout and rejoice, and venerate that Birth by which thou art freed from the chains of thy earthly birth.

Meditate then with joy on this day's solemnity. Today CHRIST is born; it is the Birthday of the Eternal King, the SON of the Living GOD. To us a Son is born to-day: to-day the Sun of Righteousness shone forth with brightness. To-day He Who is fairer than the sons of men, showed His Face. To-day the Light of our Redemption dawned upon us, for the recovery of our eternal felicity. To-day peace was announced to us men. To-day appeared the mercy and lovingkindness of GOD our Saviour. His Power appeared in the creation of all things, His Wisdom in governing them, and His goodness and very great mercy in His becoming Man. To-day GOD was worshipped in the likeness of our sinful Flesh. To-day we are born with CHRIST, for the Birth of CHRIST is the origin of the people of CHRIST. To-day these two great miracles took place, which surpass our understanding, and faith

alone can apprehend them, viz., GoD is Born, and a Virgin brings forth.

Meditations.

It is now, O LORD JESUS CHRIST, that I ought to be filled with love. Enlighten my soul with Thy eternal light; reunite the multiplicity of my thoughts, collect all my senses, dissipate the clouds and darkness of my soul, that I may see Thee, hear Thee, embrace and love Thee with a pure heart.

Thy entrance into this vale of tears is full of love and goodness towards men. Blessed art Thou Who camest in the Name of the LORD; and Thou art Thyself the LORD of heaven and earth. Come, O Divine Saviour! Come, O my glory! Come, O the desire and happiness of poor sinners. I adore Thee, born in my flesh; I adore Thee the Incarnate GOD; I adore Thine infinite love and mercy with which Thou camest to us. Thou appearest in a desert land, full of evil: Thou art in the midst of sinners, and surrounded by poor shepherds: Thou hast made a heaven of earth, and a stable, paradise. The angels descend from heaven to come and worship Thee on earth. Our exile is overwhelmed with glory, and we hear the songs of the blessed spirits in this vale of tears. Paradise is everywhere where Thou art, for Thou art, in the souls that love Thee, a paradise of pure delights. With Thee, LORD, all is holy, all is pure, all is peaceful, sweet, amiable, and happy.

If Thou seekest us, O my GOD, without our seeking

Thee, and if Thou wert willing to enter into our miserable dwelling without being invited, what wilt Thou do to him who invites, who calls Thee? I call Thee, O Divine Saviour! with all the strength of my soul; come, LORD, enter into my soul, and fill it with Thy light. How different wert Thou to what Thou appearest, O Divine JESUS! human eyes cannot discover the mystery of Thy Nature; they behold nothing but a feeble, helpless Babe, sleeping among animals, as the most abject of human beings: nevertheless, Thou art the SON of the Eternal FATHER, the Brightness of His Glory, and the Express Image of His Person. GOD infinite, Almighty, the Treasury of Divine riches, the Joy of the Blessed, the Delight of those who love Thee, the Bliss of those who desire Thee, and the Rest of those who possess Thee. Thou art at the same time, both Almighty, and most abject, O Divine Infant! Thou didst conceal Thy Majesty, O GOD of Glory! so that men may approach Thee without fear; for who would dare to present himself before Thee if Thy goodness did not render Thee as accessible as Thou art. Come unto my soul, O Divine Saviour, and fill it with all good; dwell with me, and by Thy meekness and gentleness subdue the hardness of my heart, and transform it with Thy love. Let me never be separate from Thee, let my heart grow, expand, and acquire strength to love Thee constantly, to serve Thee faithfully, and to accomplish Thy holy will in all things.

The voice of gladness is gone forth into all lands ; the voice of exultation and salvation in the habitations of sinners. A good word is heard, a word of comfort,