At first, I just relished holding Him close and loving Him. This new little life completely dependent on others for everything, just like all babies are, except this is God. Our Lord, who humbled Himself so He could be dependent upon us, to experience life as we do.
He also needs to be taken care of, cherished, nourished and protected. Protected from what? How am I called to protect this child and who do I think I am that I can protect Him?
Then I remember my sins and that He died on the cross to save me. I need to protect Him from my sins — I need to protect Him from me! This hurts, because I am not sinless. The only way I can keep from sinning is to turn to Him in all things and even then He must come to my rescue in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Oh thank you Jesus for that most beautiful sacrament. I shudder to think where I'd be without it.
The blasphemies, the non-believers and even worse, those who have turned their backs on Him. I cannot protect Him from these things. I can't protect Him from the pain and agony we cause one another either, knowing that what we do unto the least of our brethren, we do unto Him. For that, all I can offer is prayer, fasting and penance to atone. This is the best protection I can offer and truthfully, I have to rely on Him to help me do these things.
Another image came to me as well as I held the beautiful Christ child close to my heart. I need Him more than He needs me, even at His most vulnerable. I need Him to protect and love me and guide me in all things. So in turn, as I continued to hold this babe close to my heart, I rested my head against His most Sacred Heart as He held me close. Peace.
He holds us close to His heart, just as we should hold Him close to our hearts. Our hearts should beat as one. Everything He asks of us, we can rely upon Him to help us with. We are not alone and we should not leave Him alone. As we hold Him close to our hearts and care for Him (through prayer, fasting, penance, evangelization, etc.), He holds us ever closer to His heart and cares for us in all things.
As Christmas nears, anticipate holding this beautiful Babe, this overly generous Savior. Hold Him close to your heart and do not let go. Plan to spend every moment with Him here on earth so you can be with Him eternally in the next life.
May the peace and love of Christ be with you now and forever.
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