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Daily Devotion to the Theotokos Sixteenth Day of the Month | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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“And
it happened that while they were there [in Bethlehem], her time was completed and she bore a Son, here first-horn, and she wrapped Him
in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger...And there were shepherds
in that region...And an angel of the Lord stood before them, and
the glory of the Lord shone about them...The angel said to them ‘Do
not be afraid; behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall
be for all people; because this day there has been born in the city of
David a Saviour Who is Christ the Lord. And suddenly, there was with
the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts, praising God and saying: Glory to
God in the highest and peace on earth to men of good will.’”
(Luke 2:7-14) * * * The wonder of your childbearing left prophets trembling in fear and astonished the angels of God. All mankind looks upon you, O Theotokos, with awe and wonder. The God of heaven and earth, the creator of every existing thing, became a babe and was born from a woman, and we were set free from our bondage. We saw the heavens open and angels sing the glad tidings to the shepherds; we saw rulers come and bow down before your child in the manger cave, but no one could witness the miracle itself: God becoming a human baby in the womb of a virgin. We marvel, O blessed Virgin, that God could have found among our sinful human race a woman so pure and full of faith and love, that He would be born through her. There are no words to describe how high and how blessed the grace of God has made you. Since you were completely filled with divine grace by the Holy Spirit and the Heavenly King dwelt in your womb, you are above all other humans and higher than the angels. Think within yourself, dear reader: I see the glory that God gave to you, blessed Virgin, because of your meekness, humility and love, and this fills me with hope and longing. I desire to find this humility and meekness. I long to be filled with the kind of faith, hope and love that I see in you, O Theotokos, but I am weak and filled with sins and passions. My pride is great, I am in need of repentance and help. You have all these virtues, our blessed mother. Inspire me by your life, and pray to God for me that He will lead me to perfect repentance and humility, so that I may learn from you, Theotokos, sincere love and obedience, and become a true servant of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
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