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 Seven – December 22
The Eternal Word was happy and made Himself suffer.
O sweet Jesus, Eternal Word made flesh, I give You thanks for wanting to incarnate in
order to suffer. You could have redeemed us without any suffering, but what suited
Your justice did not suit Your immense love. Infinitely happy with Your Father, You be-
came a man of sorrows acquainted with suffering. As of the cradle, You embraced all
the sorrows and hardships of our exile. You were the first to drink the remedy in-
tended to heal our souls made sick by sin.
O divine Child, the heart that loves desires to share everything with its beloved. I there-
fore declare to You that I want to be Your disciple, take up my cross each day behind
You. I would rather suffer close to You than have pleasure far from You. And if my soul
is sometimes weighed down by sorrow, I will draw strength, courage and peace from
Your example. O little Child Jesus of the Manger, I accept to -suffer and to be scorned
in order to resemble You. 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…