Night has fallen; the clear, bright stars are sparkling in the cold air; 

    noisy, strident voices rise to my ear from the city, 

    voices of the revelers of this world who celebrate with merrymaking 

        the poverty of their Savior. 

Around me in their rooms my companions are asleep, 

    and I am still wakeful, thinking of the mystery of Bethlehem.

Come, come, Jesus, I await you. . . .

I am a poor shepherd; 

I have only a wretched stable, a small manger, some wisps of straw. 

I offer all these to you, be pleased to come into my poor hovel. 

I offer you my heart; 

    my soul is poor and bare of virtues, 

    the straws of so many imperfections will prick you and make you weep

    –but oh, my Lord, what can you expect?

This little is all I have. . . . 

I have nothing better to offer you, Jesus, 

    honor my soul with your presence, adorn it with your graces. 

Burn this straw and change it into a soft couch for your most holy body.

Jesus, I am here waiting for your coming. 

Wicked men have driven you out, and the wind is like ice. 

I am a poor man, but I will warm you as well as I can. 

At least be pleased that I wish to welcome you warmly, 

    to love you and sacrifice myself for you.

Amen.

Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli 1881–1963 also Pope John XXIII

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Luke 2:4-7

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, 

    to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,

  because he was of the house and lineage of David, 

    to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.  

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 

And she gave birth to her firstborn son 

    and wrapped him in swaddling cloths 

    and laid him in a manger, 

  because there was no place for them in the inn.
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What is one sacrifice you can make to welcome Jesus anew this Christmas?