"The Child, laid by Mary in the crib, is the man-God we shall see nailed to the Cross. In the stable at Bethlehem He allowed Himself to be worshiped under the humble outward appearance of a newborn baby by Mary and Joseph and by the Shepherds. This same Redeemer is present in the sacrament of the Eucharist. In the consecrated Host we adore Him sacramentally under the humble appearance of bread and wine which becomes His Body and Blood ... and for us the food of eternal life."   - Pope St. John Paul II