Devotions to the Christ Child

 Merry Christmas!  May the joy of this holy day fill your hearts and lives!  God bless!

Holy Mother Church devotes the month of December to the Divine Infant. Beginning with Christmas, the Church recalls the Divine Childhood and continues to honor the Christ Child with additional feasts for forty days. While liturgically the Christmas season ends with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, January 13, spiritually the Christmas cycle is not complete until February 2, the Feast of the Presentation, also known as Candlemas. We can adore the Divine Infant by praying special devotions to Him, such as the prayer below, which is to be recited while in the presence of Baby Jesus in the manger. We can also worship Him by singing Christmas hymns, such as the beautiful French hymn Il est Ne,le Divin Enfant or a more commonly known song such as What Child is This.  Another way to honor the Christ Child would be to spend time in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

These special prayers and hymns need not be restricted to Christmas Day alone. Our hearts made ready during Advent have not just one day to shower the Infant Jesus with love and homage, but the Christmas season in its entirety.

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Prayer to Jesus in the Manger

O Divine Redeemer Jesus Christ, prostrate before Thy crib, I believe Thou art the God of infinite Majesty, even though I do see Thee here as a helpless babe. I humbly adore and thank Thee for having so humbled Thyself for my salvation as to will to be born in a stable. I thank Thee for all Thou didst wish to suffer for me in Bethlehem, for Thy poverty and humility, for Thy nakedness, tears, cold and sufferings.

Would that I could show Thee that tenderness which Thy Virgin Mother had toward Thee, and love Thee as she did. Would that I could praise Thee with the joy of the angels, that I could kneel before Thee with the faith of St. Joseph, the simplicity of the shepherds. Uniting myself with these first adorers at the crib, I offer Thee the homage of my heart, and I beg that Thou wouldst be born spiritually in my soul. Make me reflect in some degree the virtues of Thy admirable nativity. Fill me with that spirit of renunciation, of poverty, of humility, which prompted Thee to assume the weakness of our nature, and to be born amid destitution and suffering. Grant that from this day forward, I may in all things seek Thy greater glory, and may enjoy that peace promised to men of good will.  Amen.

Il est né le Divin Enfant (Refrain) Il est né le divin enfant, Jouez hautbois, résonnez musettes! Il est né le divin enfant, Chantons tous son avènement! Depuis plus de quatre mille ans, Nous le promettaient les prophètes. Depuis plus de quatre mille ans, Nous attendions cet heureux temps. (Refrain) Ah! qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant! Que ses grâces sont parfaites! Ah! qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant! Qu'il est doux ce divin Enfant! (Refrain) O Jésus! O Roi tout puissant! Tout petit enfant que vous êtes, O Jésus! O Roi tout puissant! Régnez sur nous entièrement! (Refrain)

He is Born the Christ Child (Chorus) He is born, the divine child, Play, oboes, resound, bag-pipes! He is born, the divine child, Let us sing for his future! For more than four thousand years, The prophets promised Him to us. For more than four thousand years, We've been waiting for this happy time. (Chorus) Oh! How he's handsome, how he's adorable, How his charms are perfect! Oh! How he's handsome, how he's adorable, How he's the gentle divine child! (Chorus) O Jesus! O Almighty King! Such a little child that you are, O Jesus! O Almighty King! Reign over us completely! (Chorus)

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