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Pastel Painting by Sr. Angelica Shanklin
Second Station |
The Birth of Jesus
Heart of Jesus made visible in the child Jesus
We Adore you O Lord and we love You
-Because by Your Sacred Heart You have made manifest Your Love
While they were there, the time came for her to have her child,and she gave birth to her firstborn son.She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.-Lk 2:6-20
Reflection:
The Love of God which beats in this tiny heart is now visible to the world as Jesus is born and adored by Mary and Joseph, and then by the shepherds. They see this tiny infant and yet they see and know the Love of God through the words of the angels and the amazing child they encounter with faith. The Heart of Jesus, the Love of God, is now not only dwelling among us, hidden in the womb of Mary, but visible and present for all to see.
Prayer:
Oh Tiny Sacred Heart of Jesus, help us to recognize Your Loving Presence among us