We are now almost at the crib: and in this season, of the year 2006, the crib resides truly in each heart. Our cribs are places of preparation now, in contrite and happy expectation of the travel-weary little procession of St. Joseph, Our Lady, and the Babe she carries within her. Our hearts, humble and stable-like as they are, are true echoes of the first stable in Bethlehem. Did not the Lord wish to show us, by His arrival in a humble stable, the very image of His desire to enter into all hearts, hearts open to Him in true contrition, purity and humility? And does He not offer us the means by which to prepare our hearts, namely His own grace won on the Cross; these graces to which we must respond with a humble giving over of our wills to His? Are we not constantly re-soiling the stable, and in need of His help which He gave to His Bride, the Church, won through His suffering, suffering which began at Christmas? How are we to clean the stables which are our hearts without help, without following the words He left with the Church? I find the words of Thomas `A Kempis profoundly apt in these days of Advent, just before the arrival of the True King:
"The Kingdom of God is within you, saith the Lord. Turn thee with thy whole heart unto the Lord, and forsake this wretched world and thy soul shall find rest. Learn to despise outward things, and to give thyself to things inward, and thou shalt perceive the Kingdom of God to come in thee. For the Kingdom of God is peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, which is not given to the unholy. Christ will come unto thee, and show thee His consolation, if thou prepare for Him a worthy abode within thee. All His glory and beauty is from within, and there He delighteth Himself. The inward man He often visiteth; and hath with Him sweet discourse, pleasant solace, much peace, familiarity exeedingly wonderful. O faithful soul! make ready they heart for this Bridegroom, that He may vouchsafe to come unto thee and dwell within thee. For thus saith He, If any love Me, he will keep My words, and We will come unto Him, and will make our abode with Him.
Give therefore a place unto Christ, and deny entrance to all others. When thou hast Christ, thou art rich, and hast enough. He Himself will by thy provider and faithful steward in all things..." (from The Imitation of Christ)
