December 2, 2022

On this night of light when Jesus had just been born, on returning from midnight mass, Thérèse was delighted to discover her parcels in the fireplace at Les Buissonnets. She is 13 years old, almost 14, in a week! Will she have toys?.. Other gifts?..

The party seems to be spoiled when her dad Louis advances: "Happy[1]ment that it's the last year" thinking Thérèse far too old for these childishness. Céline takes her sister up the Buissonnets staircase. Suddenly, Jesus visits her. The youngest of the Martin girls will say of herself: “Thérèse was no longer the same. Jesus had changed his heart! (Ms A, 45r).

Three staircases in Thérèse's life mark out her spiritual itinerary… The Alençon staircase where, at each step, she calls her holy mother who answers her by the sweet name of “Thérèse” who then agrees to go down step by step. Finally, the Carmel staircase where, at the end of her life, no longer having the strength to climb the steps, Sister Thérèse, in a last ditch effort, climbs for a missionary, offering her sacrifice for an unknown evangelizer to the other side of the world, maybe.

Thérèse, on the path of abandonment which is hers, through the renunciation, the detachment to which she consents, learns not to receive toys from Jesus, even for the Christmas party, but Thérèse learns to become "the toy of Jesus" in order to please Him in all things, for Love of Him.

 In "The Divine Little Beggar of Christmas" (RP 5), Sister Thérèse has prepared as many gifts to offer to Jesus as there are sisters present in the community. In the evening, in front of the nativity scene of Jesus, each sister pulls out a piece of paper inviting her to offer to the Child Jesus what Thérèse has composed. Here, a toy...

“Do you want to be on earth The Plaything of the Divine Child?… My sister, do you want to please Him? Stay in his little hand.

If the lovely Child caresses you If He brings you close to his Heart, And if sometimes He abandons you, Make everything happy.

Always look for his whims You will charm the Divine eyes. Henceforth all your delights Will be his childish desires...

Your delights (bis) will be his childish desires. »

We too on this Christmas night which lights up the world where God becomes man for the Salvation of the world, let us offer ourselves to Jesus to become his toy as he pleases. In return, we will be delighted to have made ourselves available at his pleasure.

Merry Christmas,

In the love of Jesus

Father Olivier Ruffray, Rector of the Sanctuary, for the December issue of the Review Therese of Lisieux

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