Devotion to the infancy of God incarnate is actively practiced in many centers of Christianity. Any one who attentively and frequently reads the New Testament discovers immediately the Origins of devotion to the Infant Jesus. St. Luke in particular seems to have had a particular devotion to the Christ Child. He at any rate highlights the genuine source of this devotion namely, the heart of Mary. If Mary is to be considered the model of all Christian contemplation, her devotion to her Infant is enough inspiration for all Christians to do the same. Christians always longed to show their deep reverence to the incarnate Word of God, Jesus Christ. The Child Jesus was adored by Church Fathers like St. Athanasius and St. Jerome. St. Jerome was attracted by the mysteries of the birth and childhood of Jesus. He even went to dwell in Bethlehem living near the cave, which Christians believed to have been the birth place of the Divine Child.
Other great worshippers are St. Bernard of Chlairvaux, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Anthony of Padua. St. Francis of Assisi considered the birthday of the Infant Jesus as the feast of feasts . because the Son of God lowered himself to become a poor child. It is St. Francis of Assisi who is said to have prepared the first crib for the X'mas of 1226.
St. Teresa of Avila who always traveled with here sculpture of the Infant Jesus during founding new convents, cultivated devotion to the Infant Jesus. St. Therese of the Child Jesus popularly known as 'The Little Flower' is credited for her teaching on spiritual childhood. The infancy of Jesus was for her a source of inspiration. It is said that one day Teresa met a small child inside or near the cloister who asked her name. She replied, "Teresa of Jesus" and the child retorted, "I am Jesus of Teresa."
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Devotion to the infancy of God incarnate is actively practiced in many centers of Christianity. Any one who attentively and frequently reads the New Testament discovers immediately the Origins of devotion to the Infant Jesus. St. Luke in particular seems to have had a particular devotion to the Christ Child. He at any rate highlights the genuine source of this devotion namely, the heart of Mary. If Mary is to be considered the model of all Christian contemplation, her devotion to her Infant is enough inspiration for all Christians to do the same. Christians always longed to show their deep reverence to the incarnate Word of God, Jesus Christ. The Child Jesus was adored by Church Fathers like St. Athanasius and St. Jerome. St. Jerome was attracted by the mysteries of the birth and childhood of Jesus. He even went to dwell in Bethlehem living near the cave, which Christians believed to have been the birth place of the Divine Child.
Other great worshippers are St. Bernard of Chlairvaux, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Anthony of Padua. St. Francis of Assisi considered the birthday of the Infant Jesus as the feast of feasts . because the Son of God lowered himself to become a poor child. It is St. Francis of Assisi who is said to have prepared the first crib for the X'mas of 1226.
St. Teresa of Avila who always traveled with here sculpture of the Infant Jesus during founding new convents, cultivated devotion to the Infant Jesus. St. Therese of the Child Jesus popularly known as 'The Little Flower' is credited for her teaching on spiritual childhood. The infancy of Jesus was for her a source of inspiration. It is said that one day Teresa met a small child inside or near the cloister who asked her name. She replied, "Teresa of Jesus" and the child retorted, "I am Jesus of Teresa."
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