Letter IV. To Mother de Chantal. Thoughts on Christmas Night

AH! how sweet is this night, my most dear daughter! " The heavens," sings the Church, " rain down honey over all the world." And for my part I think these divine Angels who make the air thrill with their admirable song, have come to gather this heavenly honey from the lily as it lies on the breast of the most sweet Virgin and of St. Joseph. There is a fear, my dear daughter, lest these divine spirits should make some mistake between the milk of that virginal bosom and the honey from heaven which lies upon it. How sweet to see the union of honey and milk (le miel succer le lait).

LET. iv.] Letters for Various Festivals. 407

But pray, my dear daughter, am I not ambitious enough to think that our good Angels, yours and mine, were amongst that dear band of heavenly musi cians who sang that night? Ah! if they would but please to intone again in the ears of our heart that same heavenly song — what joy! what jubilee! I beg them to do so that there may be glory to God on high, and peace on earth to hearts of good will.

Returning then from the sacred mysteries, I thus say good day to my dear daughter; for I think that even the shepherds, after having adored the sacred Babe whom heaven itself had announced to them, rested a little. But oh what sweetness, as I think, was in their sleep! They seemed still to hear the sacred melody of the Angels who had saluted them so excellently in their canticle, to see the dear Infant and the Mother whom they had visited.

What shall we give to our little King which we have not received from him and from his divine liberality? Well, I will give him at holy High Mass the well-beloved daughter whom he has given me. 0 Saviour of our souls, make her to be all gold in charity, all myrrh in mortification, all incense in prayer, and then receive her within the arms of your holy protection, and let your heart say to hers: I am thy salvation for ever and ever. Amen. Your very affectionate father and servant, &c.