Power of God

Father Padre Pio loved Christmas very much and, even as a young child, he had a special reverence for the Child Jesus.
Joseph Mary Elder, a Capuchin monk, wrote that in his home in Pietrelcina, Father Padre Pio made the manger himself; he often began work on it in October. While grazing the family sheep with his friends, he also sought clay to make the figures of shepherds, animals and the three kings. He took particular care in making the Little Jesus, starting over and over again until he felt he had perfected it.
Respect for the Child Jesus accompanied him throughout his life. In a letter to his spiritual child, he wrote: “When the holy ninth begins in honour of the Child Jesus, I feel as if my soul is reborn. I feel as if my heart is too small to receive all these heavenly blessings.”
Midnight Mass was always a joyful celebration for Father Padre Pio, he would never miss it. His soul was lifted to heaven, to God, by the immense joy.
Many people have testified to seeing the infant Jesus in Father Pio’s arms.
Renzo Allegri describes the incident. Father Pio was praying with us. Suddenly I saw something glorious and the baby Jesus appeared in the arms of Father Pio. Father Pio was completely transfixed, his gaze resting on the child in his arms, his face lit up with a surprised smile. When the vision disappeared, it was obvious to him from the way I looked at him that I had seen everything.
He leaned over and asked me not to tell anyone about it.”
A similar story was told by Raffaele da Sant’Elia, who was Father Pio’s neighbour for many years.
“On Christmas 1924, when I went to the church for midnight mass, the vast and dark corridor was lit only by a small oil lamp. Among the many shadows I could make out the figure of Father Pio, who was also on his way to the church. He came out of his room and walked slowly down the corridor. I noticed that a beam of light enveloped him. I looked closer and saw that he was holding the Child Jesus in his arms. I stopped in the doorway of my room, pinned to the ground, and fell to my knees. Father Pio walked on, radiant. He didn’t even notice I was there.”
These supernatural events also show the depth of Father Padre Pio’s love for God, the simplicity and humility that lived in him, and the open heart with which he received all the heavenly blessings that God had planned for him.
Let us also open our hearts to the Child Jesus at Christmas and let God’s love overwhelm us with joy!
Aleteia