O Christian, for the love of Christ, and for thine own salvation, occupy thy mind, during this holy night, with holy thoughts and aspirations, in order to make thyself worthy of all the graces which Christ will grant thee on His coming. Consider how St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary, in obedience to the edict of Caesar, and in perfect submission to the will of God, went to Bethlehem, and, finding no room there, at last entered an open stable, where they were content to stay. Does not the Son of God deserve all our love when He thus humbled Himself for us? Tender Him your heart as an abode, in the following.
Prayer of the Church.
O God, Who givest us joy by the annual expectation of our
redemption, grant that we may securely see Him coming as our
Judge Whom we joyfully receive as our Redeemer, Our Lord
Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who livest and reignest with Thee for
ever. Amen.
--Goffine's Devout Instructions
