Mental Prayer for December 26, The Shepherds

Mental Prayer Meditation Helps

Presence of God

Grace I Ask: Holy Spirit, give me the grace to understand why God first showed Himself to shepherds.

Mental Picture (cf. Luke 2:8-18): Later... just before dawn... watching Mary and her Son.... we hear voices... see torches... "There it is - the
cave the angel said - hurry." What is this? Shepherds? Coming in they see the child and kneel to adore Him. One of them speaks: "In the hills... by the fire... watching the stars... listening to the sheep... suddenly... music... and an angel... 'Fear not... today is born your Savior... in a cave... go find Him in the manger'... and then thousands of angels singing... 'Glory to God... peace on earth.' We ran over here to adore the Savior."

My Personal Application: Who are these men?...these shepherds? Poor, ordinary, humble work­men. Their hearts are not crowded with them­selves. There is room for God, for the Child - ­Christ. They come to adore Him, to give them­selves completely to Him. God showed Himself first to these simple men, but He still shows Him­self to me too - every day. Do I come to see Him, to adore Him, to offer Him myself?

I Speak to God: Father in heaven, don't pass me by. Here I am; show your Son to me. There's room for Him in my heart. It's not much, I know, but I'll make more. But I need your help so very much. Give me the grace to be like the shepherds, that I may see your Son.

Thought for Today: "Come, let us adore Him."
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Adapted from Mental Prayer, Challenge to the Lay Apostle
by The Queen's Work,(© 1958)