Religious communities with Incarnation as a part of their charism

[NadaTeTurbe]

Okay, my title is not clear, but do you know religious communities who have the Incarnation of our Lord as a part of their charism/spirituality ? Or who have a special devotion to Jesus as a kid in Bethleem, for the Nativity ? 

Thank you  

[beatitude]

The Little Sisters of Jesus, obviously, but you already know them.  I'm sure they have told you that Christmas is a very special feast in their congregation and they have a whole spirituality built around Bethlehem. They explain in a booklet about their congregation that "Bethlehem means having the heart of a child and so becoming a child of God." I know you've already seen the statue they keep in their chapel, in which Our Lady seems to be handing the Christ-child over to the watcher - this is an expression of their belief that they are called to hold that Child close and bring him out into the world.

Regarding this aspect of their spirituality, Little Sister Magdeleine wrote, "Because of the overflowing abundance of his love, Christ, the Son of God, chose to pass through the state of utter helplessness of a tiny child, the only state in which someone is totally given over into the hands of another. This is how our God first appeared, and he wants to be contemplated and adored in this state not only by the lowly but also by the great. He accepted the adoration of both shepherds and Magi, and he even led them by a star into his presence, he this little baby without grandeur or majesty," and, "This Bethlehem crib is something so beautiful and so great. It contains the whole Christ, God and man together, and in the extension of this cradle there is the workshop of Nazareth, the Passion and the Cross, and all the glory of Heaven and the Resurrection itself."

There is also the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, but I don't know much about them except that they work in education, they follow St Ignatius, and as their name suggests they have a special devotion to the Holy Child.

[Sponsa-Christi]

I know this is not what you're asking specifically, but consecrated virginity actually has a special connection with the Incarnation. In the current Rite, it is indicated that feasts celebrating the Incarnation are an appropriate times for a consecration. I think in the Patrisitic era, there was a tradition of consecrating women to a life of virginity on December 25. 

[katherineH]

The Servants of the Lord of the Virgin of Matara have a strong devotion to the incarnation through contemplation of Christ's nature as fully human and fully divine (reflected in their habit - gray for humanity, blue for divinity).  They also have a devotion to the Infant of Prague.  They are a wonderful and vibrant community. 

Edited September 30, 2015 by katherineH

[sr.christinaosf]

Franciscans actually have special devotion to this.  St.Francis is credited for initiating the nativity scene (with his display with real animals) at Greccio in the 1200s.

Our (Dillingen Franciscan Sisters) Constitutions refer to his devotion "in the Crib, on the Cross, and in the Eucharist."  These three aspects are especially important to us.

[NadaTeTurbe]

Thank you all ! 

Beatitude, I knew what you were going to say ! I read the life of little sister Magdeleine in the book by Angelika Daiker. It's organized with 5 places, and (of course  ) my favorite chapter is the one about Bethleem. I now have a little nativity in my bedroom, to adore Jesus not only in the cross, but also as a child. It really hard to get rid of all the ideas that you have about christmas, that it's not really an important religious feast, that it's not just some cute traditions, but a real spirituality. 

Sponsa Christi, it's what I'm asking, thank you for your answer  

Katherine, I thought someone was going to tell the IVE. I mean it's in their name xD

Thank you sister ! 

[HollyDolly]

I believe the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word and the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrement here in Texas may fit that criteria.

 

[Orans]

The Redemptoristines - Order of the Most Holy Redeemer.

The Incarnation is their charism. They celebrate "Little Christmas" every month on the 25th and renew their vows that day.

The purpose of their life is to 'become Jesus', a "Viva Memoria" or Living Memory of Jesus for the world.

 

[katherineH]

a "little Christmas!" That sounds amesome