obbers were wandering about waiting for victims. Palestine is a hilly
country and there were on the sides of some of the hills large caves in
which these robbers frequently took refuge or divided their spoils.
Because the shepherds at times, especially in bad weather, brought their
animals into these caves, they are often called stables. The Blessed
Virgin and St. Joseph found, we are told, one of these cold, dark
places, went into it for the night, and there Our Lord was born.

It was the month of December and must have been quite cold, so the
little Infant Jesus must have suffered greatly from the cold. If it had
been a stable such as we see in our days it would have been bad enough;
but think of this cold, dark, miserable cave, and yet it was Our Lord,
the King of Heaven and earth, who was born there. There are few people
so poor that they have to live in a cave. What wonderful humility, then,
on the part of Our Lord. He could have been born, if He wished, in the
grandest palace man could construct and have had thousands of angels to
bring Him whatever He needed, for they are His servants in Heaven. But
Our Lord became so humble to teach us. What impression should this make
on those who are too fond of dress and too vain about their homes.

It was foretold by the prophets that Our Lord would be born in
Bethlehem, and when the time was near at hand His parents were living in
Nazareth; then the Roman Emperor gave the decree that the census be
taken, which obliged Our Lord's parents to go to Bethlehem, and thus Our
Lord was born there, and the words of the prophets fulfilled. See how
God moves the whole world, if necessary, to accomplish what He desires.
But how naturally He does everything. Nobody knew--not even the Roman
Emperor himself--that he was giving an edict to fulfill the prophecies
and the promises of God. So, at times, people do many things to carry
out the designs of God, though they know it not. We should never
complain therefore to do unwillingly whatever work we have to perform,
because it may be something that God wishes us to do for some very
special end. If you look back upon your lives, you can see that God
guided and directed you upon many occasions.

*76 Q. How long did Christ live on earth?
A. Christ lived on earth about thirty-three years, and led a most holy
life in poverty and suffering.

The life of Our Lord was spent in the following manner. At the time Our
Lord was born in Bethlehem wise