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Christmas Prayer

from the Raccolta, 1878


I adore Thee, Incarnate Word true, Son of God from all eternity, and true son of the Virgin Mary in the fulness of time! Adoring Thy divine person, and the humanity which is united to it, I feel moved, moreover to venerate the poor crib which welcomed thee, an infant, and was truly the first throne of thy love. Would that I could prostrate myself before it with the simplicity of the shepherds, with the faith of Joseph, with the love of Mary! Would that I could bend in adoration of so precious a memorial of our salvation, with the spirit of mortification, of poverty, of humility, with which Thou, the Lord of heaven and of earth, didst choose a manger to receive and shelter Thy trembling limbs!

Do Thou, O Lord! who, while yet a babe, didst deign to rest in this crib, vouchsafe also to pour into my heart a little of the joy excited in those who beheld Thy lovely childhood, and the wonders which accompanied Thy birth; through which I beseech Thee to give to the whole world peace and good will, and, in the name of all mankind, to render all thanksgiving and glory to the Father, and to the Holy Ghost, who, with Thee, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen