The Heavenly Child and You

As we approach the celebration of Christmas Day, Christ's birthday, I want tp share with you some of Saint Padre Pio's thoughts in relationship to the Christ Child. Worth meditating on is Padre Pio's belief that Jesus is present to us now as the Christ Child, just as He was present as the Child some 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem. Since God lives in eternity, since He lives out of our time, since He is the same "yesterday, today, and forever," He--in all His infiniteness--is ever present to us. So now let's see what St. Padre Pio offers us concerning the Christ Child and our relationship to Him and our need for Him:

"May the heavenly Child look benevolently on your soul," says St. Padre Pio to you, "which is groaning beneath the blows of the divine mercy, and may the light that flooded the minds of the devout shepherds of Bethlehem enlighten your mind also and never abandon you. . . ." (Letters 1, p. 1334)

"On the happy occasion of the holy Nativity of the Infant Jesus, may you be pleased to receive my good wishes for everlasting well-being and eternal spiritual bliss," says St. Padre Pio to you. "This is the synthesis of the prayers I will offer for you before the cradle of the Infant Jesus during these holy days. May He be pleased to hear them all." (Letters 1, p. 1326)

"Live joyfully and courageously, at least in the upper part of the soul," says St. Padre Pio to you, "amidst the trials in which the Lord places you. Live joyfully and courageously, I repeat, because the Angel who foretells the birth of our little Savior and Lord, announces singing, and sings announcing that he brings tidings of joy, peace, and happiness to men of goodwill. So that there is nobody who does not know that in order to receive this Child, it is sufficient to be of goodwill. Even though up to the present this has not been very effective because He came to bless goodwill which, little by little, He will render fruitful and effective, as long as we allow ourselves to be governed by it. And I hope that we will do so. Do not fear the tricks of Satan, but despise them. Jesus is with you." (Letters 3, p. 470)

A most-blessed Christmas season to you, my friend!