Inspired by the book Bethléem, ou l’École de l’Enfant-Jésus, (Bethlehem, or the School
of the Child Jesus) by Msgr. Jean-Joseph Gaume
Day Three – December 18
The Eternal Word was mighty and made Himself weak.
O sweet Jesus, Eternal Word made flesh, I give You thanks for becoming weak for my
love. You, the mighty God, wanted to experience all the frailty of our human nature.
You sleep in a stable, You weep, You are cold. You feel all our infirmities, not only in
Bethlehem, but throughout Your entire life; they will change as You grow older, but
they will remain Your inseparable companions until death.
O divine Child of Bethlehem, eternity will not suffice for me to thank You for taking
every human weakness upon Yourself. By acting in this manner, You opened the way
for me. You showed me that despite my own weaknesses, I can attain the sanctity that
You expect of me. Your example teaches me: I learn to mistrust myself and my inca-
pacity in order to count solely on the help of the One who strengthens me and in
whom I can do all things. Grant me, O Jesus, the grace to be very little in my own eyes
and to place my trust in You alone. Amen.
Invocation
O divine Child Jesus, who for the salvation of the world wanted to be born in a stable,
lying on straw in the manger, have mercy on me.
Mary and Joseph, pray to the Child Jesus for me.
Glory be to the Father…