Humility And The Nativity

Invenietis, inquit, infantem pannis involutum, et positum in praesepio. Et post pauca: Venerunt, ait evangelista, festinantes, et invenerunt Mariam, et Joseph, et infantem positum in praesepio. Quid est quod sola ab angelo commendari videtur humilitas, nec tamen sola a pastoribus inveniri? Forte specialius commendat angelus humilitatem, quia ruentibus caeteris per superbiam, ipse in humilitate stetisset. Aut propterea certe coelitus annuntiatur humilitas, quod haec quasi propria virtus divinae exhibenda sit majestati. Sola tamen non potuit inveniri, quia semper gratia datur humilibus. Invenerunt ergo Mariam, et Joseph, et infantem positum in praesepio. Sicut enim Salvatoris infantia manifestam praetendit humilitatem, sic per Virginem continentia, justitia per Joseph virum justum, cujus laus est in Evangelio, non incongrue designatur. Sane continentiam deberi carni quis nesciat? Justitia vero virtus est, quod suum est cuique tribuens: et haec erga proximos est necessaria. Porro humilitas Deo nos reconciliat, Deo facit esse subjectos, Deo placet in nobis; sicut ait Virgo beata: Respexit humilitatem ancillae suae. Sanctus Bernardus Clarae Vallensis, Sermones De Tempore, In Nativitate Domini, Sermo IV, De eo quod pastores invenerunt Mariam et Joseph, et infantem positum in praesepio Source: Migne PL 183.126d-127b

'You shall find,' he said, 'a child in swaddling cloths, placed in a manger.' And a little after the evangelist says, 'They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph and the infant placed in a manger.' 1 Why is it that it seems that humility was alone commended by the angel, which is not only found in the shepherds? Perhaps the angels commends it so especially because when others fell through pride, he stood in humility. 2 Or certainly humility is declared heavenly, because this is the proper virtue that should be shown before the Divine majesty. But He cannot be found with that alone, because grace is always given to the humble. 3 Therefore they found Mary and Joseph and the child placed in the manager. For as even the infancy of the Saviour showed forth a manifest humility, so through the Virgin there was continence, and through Joseph righteousness, he whose praise in the Gospel is not inappropriately set down. 4 Who does not know that continence is for the flesh? But justice is that which gives to each his due, and this is necessary in the treatment of neighbours. Humility, however, reconciles us to God, it makes us subject to God, it makes God pleased with us. As the blessed Virgin said; 'He has looked on the humility of His handmaid.' 5 Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermons for the Year, On The Nativity of the Lord, from Sermon 4, On the Shepherds' finding of Mary And Joseph and the Child placed in the Manger. 1 Lk 2.12,16 2 1 Tim 3.6 3 James 4.6 4 Mt 1.19 5 Lk 1.48