Those who trust in their own righteousness and holiness seek salvation in themselves, but I, who find in me nothing worthy of eternal life, flee to Thee as my Saviour. Save me, for I am condemned; have mercy upon me, for I am a sinner; justify me, for I am unrighteous; acquit me, for I am under accusation of sin.
Let us now go with the shepherds to the manger of Christ, that is, His Church, and as He lay in that manger in swaddling clothes, so in the sacred scriptures, we shall find our Saviour.
O blessed Christ, do Thou fight for us and in us, that in Thee we may have the victory.
An enchanter's words do not so quickly drive away a serpent, as a hearty and unceasing confession of Christ puts to flight the devil, that old serpent of hell.
Look not upon the face of the tempter alluring thee to sin, but think rather of the bitter stings of an accusing conscience that shall follow that sin.
If the love of the world fills our hearts, then the love of God can find no entrance therein. A vessel already full cannot be filled with some new liquid unless it be first emptied. Let us therefore empty our hearts of the love of the world, that we may fill [it] with the love of God. So God, in sending the cross, seeks to destroy the love of the world in us, that the divine love may find place in our heart.
Consider the struggles and agonies of the death hour, so wilt thou easily despise worldly delights.
O blessed Lord Jesus, who has offered complete satisfaction for our sins by Thy bitter passion, guard us from eternal condemnation at the last!