Prayer Thread - Meditation on the Incarnation

There is a marvelous interplay in many of the old masters' paintings of the Madonna and Child. Mary often looks sad and pensive, staring away into the distance, already our Lady of Sorrow. Sometimes Jesus is depicted with arms outstretched, or in postures that are reminiscent of the Deposition, forshadowing in this moment of joy at the beginning of his life, the moment of his death.

These two events go totally together. Without the Incarnation, there can be no Passion. Without Christ's birth, there is no Ressurection.

In a way, every time we come to Adoration, we are reenacting that scene so long ago, where the shepherds came and adored the infant Jesus.

Just as every time we go to mass, we celebrate Jesus' passion and resurrection, we also are celebrating his incarnation, for he comes to us then, just as real as he was when he came to Bethlehem.

Let us then, when we walk into church or other place where Jesus resides in the Blessed Sacrament, join in the old hymn, not just during this season, but all through the year, singing:

"O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord."

Lord, in this season, where so much energy is spent on frivolous things, yet where still we keep alive the memory of that day so long ago, may we remember how you chose to be with us, not because of anything we had earned, or deserved, but simply because you loved us. And humbled by that thought, may we always be opene to what you would have us do, this day and always, Amen.

O Lord, How Shall I Meet You
By: Paul Gerhardt

O Lord, how shall I meet you,
How welcome you aright?
Your people long to greet you,
My hope, my heart's delight!
Oh, kindle, Lord most holy,
Your lamp within my breast
To do in spirit lowly
All that may please you best.

Your Zion strews before you
Green boughs and fairest palms;
And I too will adore you
With joyous songs and psalms.
My heart shall bloom forever
For you with praises new
And from your name shall never
With hold the honor due.

I lay in fetters, groaning;
You came to set me free.
I stood, my shame bemoaning;
You came to honor me.
A glorious crown you give me,
A treasure safe on high
That will not fail or leave me
As earthly riches fly.

Love caused your incarnation;
Love brought you down to me.
Your thirst for my salvation
Procured my liberty.
Oh, love beyond all telling,
That led you to embrace
In love, all love excelling,
Our lost and fallen race.

Rejoice, then, you sad-hearted,
Who sit in deepest gloom,
Who mourn your joys departed
And tremble at your doom.
Despair not; he is near you,
There, standing at the door,
Who best can help and cheer you
And bids you weep no more.

He comes to judge the nations,
A terror to his foes,
A light of consolations
And blessed hope to those
Who love the Lord's appearing.
O glorious Sun, now come,
Send forth your beams so cheering,
And guide us safely home.

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