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 Six – December 21
The Eternal Word was the master and made Himself the servant.
O sweet Jesus, Eternal Word made flesh, I give You thanks because You, being the King
of kings, lowered Yourself to the point of taking the condition of a slave. With this won-
der of Your love, You released us from the devil’s yoke. You destroyed his empire by
confounding the spirit of insubordination which is its foundation. To pride and disobe-
dience, You opposed profound humility and total submission, making Yourself the ser-
vant of all.
O Monarch of the world, You became a slave for love of me! I am deeply confounded
at the thought of Your manger, the eternal monument of your humiliations. I am
ashamed at the thought of my pride, the memory of my follies and my ingratitude. I
acknowledge my sin and am sorry for it. Your infinite merits, O my Saviour, enliven my
hope. I await my pardon from Your inexhaustible goodness, which will not allow You to
despise a contrite and humbled heart. Take the chains of Your love, put them on my
hands and feet; may I never be able to break them nor make any move-ment contrary
to Your Will. 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…