This article concludes the series of eleven articles on some basic points about praying. It is hoped that they have been of some help in the recitation of set prayer formulas as well as being a stepping-stone into the area of mental prayer. May it foster more openness to the grace of being in God’s presence which is a purpose of praying.
In this article let us seek God’s presence by following a method of praying known as contemplation. Again it is important not to let the method interfere with the objective of being with God. Any method is only a help or guideline, not an end in itself. Cease to follow the method sequence whenever one finds a point that touches the soul for a closer union with God.
This contemplation will be on the shepherds and their response to the news of the birth of Christ.
Begin with a preparatory prayer in which you beg God our Lord for grace that all your intentions, actions, and operations may be directed to the praise and service of His Divine Majesty. This is the usual preparatory prayer for each meditation or contemplation.
In your imagination see the hillside under the bright stars with the shepherds watching their flock of sheep at rest..Then ask God our Lord for what you want and desire from contemplating this scene which will lead to the stable—a much deeper appreciation of the significance of God coming to earth as a little Babe to be one of us.
Imagine yourself to be an onlooker unseen by them. Feel the cold air, draw your cloak closer around you, Listen to the silence broken by an occasional cry of a wild animal, look at the dark sky with the millions of twinkling stars. It is all so peaceful, so uneventful, so ordinary.
Suddenly there is something happening in the sky. The shepherds look up to see an angel with a bright light around him. They crouch down in fear, and so do you. But the angel calms all with
“Be not afraid; for behold I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you; you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
Then the angel is surrounded by a vast number of similar beings and words ring out: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!”
Then just as suddenly as they came, they are gone and deep silence reigns. You want to rush out to talk about what happened but you hold back and watch and listen. What will they do? They ask what each saw and heard. They turn and look towards Bethlehem. They leave one to guard the sheep. They stride off towards Bethlehem while you follow in the dark.
They are passing some caves on the outskirts of the town when one notices a cave that seems to be occupied. They move towards it cautiously. They are met at the entrance by a young man who welcomes them and leads them quietly inside. There they see what the angel had told: “a babe wrapped n swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And beside the manger there is a young mother who looks up with a smile at these shepherds who show so much respect and joy.
You slip inside too for a better look.
The shepherd who seems to be their leader tells Mary and Joseph about how they knew that they were here and about what the angel had said and what the whole choir of angels had sung.
Mary and Joseph offer them a drink of water from the clay jug hanging from a peg on the wall of the cave. Little is said. Each shepherd in turn comes close to peek at the little baby and then withdraws reverently.
They say their good byes and head towards the hills. You stay behind and offer yourself to Joseph and Mary as a helper. Mary smiles at you and accepts your offer .graciously and with gratitude. Joseph nods to the small fire and indicates that a bit more wood is needed on this cold night. You hurry outside in search of dead branches from a grove of trees nearby.
You reflect on what all of this means and on why you have been privileged to be a part of it. When you return wit the sticks you have a little talk with Joseph and then with Mary. What do you say? Speak from the heart more than from the head. Just rest in their company and near to the sleeping Babe.
Close your period of prayer by reciting the Our Father.