Nativity by Botticelli
Many saints have experienced the love and wisdom that comes from the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Baby Jesus, but none more than St. Faustina who had many, many visits from the Divine Infant.
One Christmas season the Blessed Mother brought the Baby Jesus to St. Faustina and said, “strive after silence and humility,” [785]
She explained that silence and humility enabled the Baby Jesus to rest His head on Faustina’s heart, giving her strength and communion with the indwelling new born.
Why does Blessed Mother want “silence?” Because silence is the ultimate expression of worship. Ask yourself, how did the shepherds respond, how did the magi respond, how did Joseph respond to the mystery of God becoming a human baby, lying weak in a manger?
Baby Jesus
They responded in the utter silence of inexpressible awe and wonder.
Why does Jesus appear to saints as a baby? St. Faustina posed this question to the Blessed Virgin and the Baby Jesus, and He replied that it was so she could learn, “simplicity and humility,” [335] And again, “Because I want to teach you spiritual childhood. I want you to be very little, because when you are little, I carry you close to My Heart, just as you are holding Me close to your heart right now.” [1481].”
The child Jesus provides further wisdom on how to live this Christmas season when He tells St. Faustina, “True greatness of the soul is in loving God and in humility.” [427] Is this not a simple formula for happiness, holiness, and life? During the Christmas season we often complicate our lives with being busy and forget the most important thing which is to love God and make ourselves humble enough to enter into the mystery of the Nativity.
Madonna and Child
It was not only at Christmas time that Mary and the Baby Jesus appeared to St. Faustina. One time when St. Faustina was suffering greatly, Mary brought the Divine Baby, and told Faustina not to be afraid because THEY were sharing in her suffering. St. Faustina writes, “At once, strength and a great courage sprang up anew in my soul.” [25]
On another occasion Faustina saw the infant Jesus at mass and then He disappeared. When she asked Him “where did you go?” He replied that He was, “In My Heart.” [442] At one Christmas Midnight Mass, St. Faustina saw the infant and once more He disappeared. When Faustina asked where he had gone Jesus replied “’I am always in your heart; not only when you receive Me in Holy Communion, but always.’ [575]
Finally, on another occasion during Mass, Mary and Joseph appeared with the Baby Jesus and Mary said, “Take my dearest treasure.” [608] St. Faustina took the child in her arms and played with Him but during Holy Communion He disappeared and later said, “I am in your heart, I whom you had in your arms.” [609]
This Christmas season which ends on Jan. 9, 2017, receive the Baby Jesus from the arms of Mary and let her place Him tenderly into the manger of your heart.
