Contemplation Lk 2,1-21

Stand in God’s presence. God is present here and now, looking upon you with love.

Ask for the Grace: I will beg God our Lord that all my intentions and actions may be directed purely to the praise and service of His Divine Majesty

Fixing a place, a picture for contemplation: See the road from Nazareth to Bethlehem Mary, already in the ninth month of pregnancy, and Joseph: how they traveled, what their way was. Their wandering was caused by the census of the population ordered by Quirinius. While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to have her child. Jesus comes to the world.

Ask for the fruit of contemplation: for the grace of knowing Jesus thoroughly, who became a human for me, that I would love him more and follow him more in his footsteps

1. In today’s contemplation, try to allow yourself to accompany Miriam and Joseph, see how they behave, listen to what they say.

Nazareth was in the north of Israel, and the census took place in the south – in Judea. Miriam and Joseph had to cross the road about 160 km. Mary was already in 9 months pregnant, and the road lead through the dangerous territory of Samaria. What could this way be? What was the air temperature? What could Miriam and Joseph feel? Upon reaching Bethlehem, Miriam begins to give birth. The situation is crisis – childbirth, and Miriam and Joseph have no places to stay. Feel the anxiety of Miriam, anxiety of Joseph. Be with them. Try to find yourself in this situation. Maybe you have made friends with them during the journey, be useful to them (how did your help look during the road). Now you are looking for a place and in the end you find: what does it look like? Movement is slowly starting to happen, many people is coming, shepherds. How do they behave, what do they look like, what do they say? Maybe you talk to them? Look at little Jesus, how he responds to guests, his mother, Joseph, to you. Maybe you will take a born baby in your arms? What do you feel? Remember, that this situation did not the same as you know from Christmas cards.

2. Can you think about why Jesus became a human being, what he wanted to show you, what to teach you (see other reasons than his death on the cross for your salvation)?

Meditation: St Ignatius encourages in The Spiritual Exercises No. 2 … Because not so much knowledge, but internal feeling and the taste of things please and saturate the soul, that is, we stay where we feel interior movement … and nervously do not try to go on.

The final conversation: Spend a little time at the end, being with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit….as you would with a good friend: sometimes talking, sometimes listening, sometimes being together in silence. Speak to God about your feelings. Remember that times when ‘nothing is happening’ can also be significant. When you’re ready, end your prayer by saying thank you or using words that are familiar,such as the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)–whichever feels right and comfortable. (The Spiritual Exercises No.54)