Advent at the School of St. Bernard (6)

Source: FSSPX News

The Child Jesus - Francisco de Zurbaran

Behold, you have heard Who He is that comes; consider now whence and to whom He comes. He comes from the heart of His Father to the womb of a virgin mother; He comes from the height of Heaven to the low regions of the earth.

But what? Should we not then also be living on earth? Yes, if He stayed there Himself. Because where can it be well with us without Him, and where ill if He is present? “For what have I in heaven? and besides thee what do I desire upon earth? For thee my flesh and my heart hath fainted away: thou art the God of my heart, and the God that is my portion forever” (Ps. 72:25-26). “For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me” (Ps. 22:4).

But here I see that our Lord descends not only to earth, but even to hell; not as one bound, but as free among the dead; as light that shines in the darkness, “and the darkness did not comprehend it”; Wherefore His soul was not left in hell, nor did His holy body on earth see corruption. For Christ who “descended is the same also that ascended above all the heavens, that He might fill all things”(Eph. 4:10); “who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the devil,” (Acts 10:38) and again: He “hath rejoiced as a giant to run the way: His going out is from the end of heaven, and His circuit even to the end thereof: and there is no one that can hide himself from his heat” (Ps. 18:6-7).

Illustration :

The Child Jesus by Francisco de Zurbaran

Artist: Francisco de Zurbaran

Date : circa 1635