JESUS is waiting, Mary is waiting, the Angels are waiting, all nations,
all the earth, and Heaven too is waiting--waiting for our Emmanuel to
come and save us. The empty manger speaks of the Church's expectation
to-day. We can count the hours now, all things are ready. Oh! come and
save us! Come and begin Thy blessed work over again, come and save the
many who as yet know Thee not and who are expecting everything this
Christmas _except_ a Saviour. May the sight of the empty crib remind me
to look well into my preparations to-day to see that nothing is wanting
in the welcome I am going to give to the King!
_Colloquy_ with our Emmanuel. At the Incarnation, at Thy birth, all
through Thy life, Thou didst dwell _with us_; on every altar Thou hast
promised to be _with us_ all days; in Holy Communion Thou hast said I
will dwell _with them_; in the hour of death I will fear no evil for
Thou wilt be _with me_; and Thou hast secured Heaven for me by Thy
prayer: "Father, I will that those whom Thou hast given Me be _with Me_
where I am." "Emmanuel, _God with us_."
_Resolution._ Grace to expect Him to-day in all that I do.
_Spiritual Bouquet._ O Emmanuel!