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 Eight – December 23
The Eternal Word was innocent and made Himself guilty.
O sweet Jesus, Eternal Word made flesh, I give You thanks for bringing salvation to the
world by clothing Yourself with the guilt of sin. I see You in Your poor stable, con-
demned to all the sufferings deserved by sinners. In contemplating the abjection to
which Your love for me has reduced You, I acknowledge that I am guilty before You
and before men. I am alarmed by the number and gravity of my sins, and by my inca-
pacity to pay for them. For this reason, O Holy Child Jesus, ask Your divine -Mother to
take me in Her arms and offer me with You to the Eternal Father. You paid for me. You
intercede for me. You have done my penance. That is why You suffered, why You car-
ried the cross. I want to repair my sins by accepting each one of Your purifying inter-
ventions in my life.
O Jesus, Redeemer of the world, and many times Redeemer of my soul, I surrender,
You have loved me too much! Make me a prisoner of Your love, so that until my dying
breath I may love You even more than I have offended 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…