MANGER: A manger holds feed for animals. The manger in Bethlehem held the Bread of Life, the Food of our souls. After Mary's womb, the manger was the first tabernacle. It held the Body of our Lord. The shepherds came to adore our Lord in this tabernacle of the manger. The manger was probably roughly made. No artistic skill went into making a manger. We may consider ourselves to be uncultured folks, but our Lord will come to dwell within our souls. He makes us into precious vessels by His Presence. Lord, come into my heart. Take away my rough edges, my imperfections, my human preoccupation with myself. Grant me the grace to adore Your Presence in my soul, and then open my eyes to find that Presence in the soul of every other human being. Let me search the manger of flesh until I see within it the Lord of Life. Amen.
