January 1, The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
I have dreamed the hut of Bethlehem
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Lk 2,16-21
This night I had one more dream. I was in the hut of Bethlehem. There were Mary, Joseph, Jesus just born, the ox, the small donkey and “there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests»”. There was a great feast and also Joseph was singing, meanwhile Mary was smiling and dandling the baby whom she was embracing. At a certain time Joseph beckoned to the angel who was the leader – perhaps Gabriel – and he said to him: “ Please, go to call some people in the earth, to the purpose to have also them feasting here”. The angel started, by flying together with the other three: After two hours he returned and he announced: “ Mission accomplished!” Joseph asker: “Who are the invited people? Who will arrive?”. “I have invited several people” – the angel answered – “but I think that few of them will arrive”. After, describing the details, he added: “I went in the palace of the Romans, I knocked to the door, they opened and, when being in front of Herod, I proclaimed: “Do not be afraid: here we are, I announce a great joy, which will be of the entire nation: today, the Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, was born in the town of David”. “Do not say stupid things” – Herod answered – there is only one saviour in the world, he is Cesar Augustus, emperor in Rome”. “Subsequently – the angel added – I went to the hotel were the people thereby arrived for the census were lodging. I made the same announcement, but they absolutely did not pay attention to me. They were talking about business. Then, I went to the synagogue, where they were reading a passage of Isaiah which announced the coming of the Messiah”.”He already arrived! He is in the hut of Bethlehem” – I announced to them-. “It is not possible – they answered – when he will arrive he will come to us to organize the reception parties, he cannot stay silent in an hut”. After, I flung far away, I knocked to a royal palace and they have opened to me. There were wise men, called the Magi, because they scan the sky to find the truths on the earth. I have made the same announcement also to them and they answered: “It may be. There is something different, during these days, in the sky”. They asked me where they would have to go to know the child and adore him and I said to them that I would have caused a star to guide them. They will arrive within some days. After, to inform someone who could arrive immediately, I went in a nearby grotto, where there were some shepherds who were sleeping with their sheep and I announced also to them: “Do not be afraid….the Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, is born for you. This is the sign for you. You will find a child wrapped by swaddling-bands, put down with care in a manger”. They will arrive soon, because they were saying: “Let’s then go up to Bethlehem, let’s look this event which the Lord made us being aware of”. After some time they arrived, shy and timorous, and Joseph welcomed them: “Come, blessed by my Father”. They joined the praise: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests”. While the angel was speaking Mary nodded and smiled, as she was already expecting the different answers of the men to the announcement of the birth of the Lord.