And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another: Let us go over to Bethlehem and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath showed to us. (Luke 2:15)
First to see the newborn Savior, the shepherds of Bethlehem were called in from the fields – not only because they had the simplicity of heart to understand and love the Christ child but also because, as St. Francis de Sales notes, they were men after Christ’s own heart.
St. Francis writes that “of all the people then in great numbers in Bethlehem it was only the simple shepherds who came to visit Our Lord.… O God what signs are these to make known Our Lord, and what simplicity the shepherds showed in believing what was announced to them in these words. They would have had some good reasons for their belief if the angels had said: ‘Go, and you will find the Infant seated on an ivory throne, surrounded by heavenly courtiers.’ But they said: ‘Your Savior is born under these signs: and you will find Him in a manger among animals, and wrapped in swaddling clothes’.” Why do you think the angels addressed the shepherds rather than anyone else in Bethlehem? Our Lord had come as a shepherd and as King of Shepherds [1 Peter. 5:4]. He desired to favor those like Himself.”
In contemplating this first Christmas party—to which the angels invited the lowly keepers of Bethlehem’s flocks—Catholics ought to keep continuously in mind a proper way to approach Advent.
“Prepare your will by pious thoughts and affections,” St. Francis encourages the faithful.
“There are four kinds of people, some do not wish to come – these are the heretics and infidels; others who come seeking something else – there are bad Christians; others who come to adore, like the shepherds and Wise men; others who come to remain, like the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph.”
During this Advent, the words of St. Francis de Sales presents an urgent question to anyone wishing to make Advent count: How will you come to the manger?
—————————-
Population Research Institute, putting people first
—————————-
Joseph O’Brien is a Catholic Business Journal correspondent. This is the fifth and final article in a Catholic Business Journal exclusive five-part daily series of Make Advent Count: Five Ways to Approach the Manger .
———\
RELATED ARTICLES: