ADORATION OF THE SHEPHERDS
“Glory to God in the highest
heaven, And peace on earth to those with whom He is pleased!”
There were some
shepherds in that part of the country who were spending the night in the
fields, taking care of their flocks. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and
the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid, but the angel
said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will
bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David’s town your Savior
was born—Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove to you: you will find a baby
wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great
army of heaven’s angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God:
“Glory to God in
the highest heaven,
And peace on
earth to those with
whom He is
pleased!”
(Luke 2:8-14)
There were thousands of angels appointed
for Queen Mary during her journey to Bethlehem. After the courtiers of heaven had
celebrated the birth of God in Bethlehem, some of them were dispatched
immediately to different places in order to announce the joyful news according
to the Divine Will.
The Holy Prince, St. Michael betook
himself to the Holy Patriarch in limbo announcing how the only-begotten of the
Eternal Father, was already born in the
world and was resting humble and meek; as they had prophesized.
It was also the most joyful day for St.
Anne and Joachim for their long banishment, the message their daughter held in
her arms—the Son of God. They all composed and sang new songs of adoration and
worshipped in His Holy presence. Gloria!!
Meanwhile, some angels that attended and
guarded the Heavenly Mother were send to St. Elizabeth and her son John. On
hearing the news of the birth of the Redeemer, the prudent mother and her son,
though tender in age; prostrated themselves upon the earth and adored their God
made man in spirit and truth. St.Elizabeth conveyed her request to our Holy
Queen, through the angels to adore her Most Holy son on their behalf.
Amongst all, the shepherds who were
watching their flock at the time of the birth of Christ were patiently blessed.
(Luke 2:8) It is not only because they accepted the labor and inconvenience of
their calling but also because being poor, humble and despised by the world;
they belonged in sincerity and uprightness of heart, fervently hoped and longed
for the coming of the Messiah. They kept on speaking and discoursing about Him
among themselves. Also, they were removed from the richness, vanity, passions
of the world and far from any cunningness. So they were merited to be called
and invited as the first fruits of the Saints by the Savior Himself.
He manifested Himself by those whom He
wished to be praised, served and adored. Archangel Gabriel was sent to them in
human form and with great splendor. (Luke 2:10-12)
At these words of the angel, suddenly
appeared a great multitude of the celestial army, who in voices of sweet
harmony; sang to the most High their verses:
“Glory to God in
the highest heaven,
And peace on
earth to those with
whom He is
pleased!”
In the angelic vision, the humble and
fortunate shepherds were filled with divine enlightenment. Their fervent
longing to make certain of the blessings and to witness with their own eyes—the
Most High Mystery!
As they were free from the arrogant
wisdom of the world they believed in the proof of the Majesty King. They were
illuminated by the Divine Light and in innocence they hurried to the cave. On
entering the cave, they found Mary, Joseph and the Holy Infant lying in a
manger. They recognized and acknowledged the truth of what they had heard of
the child. Prostrating themselves on the earth they adored the Word made Flesh.
They were no more ignorant; but as the
wise and prudent men they adored, acknowledged and magnified Him as the True
God and Man; joyfully confessing that He is the Restorer and Redeemer of the
entire human race.
The Heavenly Mother of the child took
notice of all that they did, interiorly and exteriorly and pondered over them
in their soul. (Luke 2:19)
She instructed them to persevere in the
divine Love and in service of the Most High. They too conversed with her; and
showed that they understood many of the mysteries.
The Queen send them off- full of Heavenly
grace and consolation.
Dear devotees of Christ, I humbly request
you to go through the message deeply and meditate the qualities of the shepherds
which truly pleased God and made them worthy to receive His reward.
Our advent journey of this year comes to
an end and the events will led to the birth of our Savior. We see the
prophecies, promises and prayers of the Old Testament being fulfilled.
Blessed Mary accepted her mission with
uncompromising humility, obedience, charity and poverty. She acted with unwavering
faith and trust!---why?-All because she believed that God would fulfill the
Word He had spoken.
How do you make your life as an offering
to God along with your family?
The faithful God will never forsake you
because He allowed us to enter His Covenant.
Dark days are not withstanding; He brings
the springs to us. Though the door to darkness is closed He bursts open the
doors of His Everlasting Light!
So let us move confidently to the new
path that leads to and from the door; Path that leads to peace and happiness.
Let us revive our methods to transform ourselves.
Let us kneel down without any hesitation;
overcoming our sickness in front of the Mighty Restorer!
Let us go to the manger every day, with
high reverence, kneel down, kiss His footsteps asking pardon for our shameful
arrogant behavior. Remember that whoever knelt down and adored Him were
enlightened and merited by His knowledge and humility.
Let us leave our pride and prejudice at
the feet of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. It is the time to think of new
resolutions; sitting under the heavenly Light- the Best Gift of the Season!
So stay filled with hope, reciting few
prayers like those mentioned below that can assist you to take the right
decisions in the coming years.
Infant Jesus,
poor and simple
Bless me and
grant my petition!
Infant Jesus,
humble and obedient
Bless me and
grant my petition!
Infant Jesus,
silent and recollected
Bless me and
grant my petition!
Infant Jesus,
inflamed with love for me
Bless me and
grant my petition!
Conclude the
prayer with Three Hail Mary and Three Gloria!
Season’s Greetings!!
With
love filled blessings,
Your
Sister in Christ