Spiritual Steps to Christmas: Daily Meditations for Sanctifying Advent

This book is written to bring to our minds the thoughts of Advent so that we may think and pray with Mary, who brought Christ to us. Advent, like Lent, is a time of preparation in thought and deed for a great event. Certainly, if a king or a cardinal were to come to our home as a guest, we would prepare for his advent. Should we not prepare, then, for the great King of the universe during these days? Instead of coming to our homes, however, His Advent, or "coming," is one into our hearts, and it depends on how we pray and meditate during these preparatory days leading up to Christmas.

Advent should not cause sorrow, for penance is a joy when done for God. These Advent days, then, will be most joyful if they are dedicated to God. We are happiest when all things are in harmony and in their proper place. This is the definition of health. This is the understanding of peace. This is to be Christian. It is our aim here to put Christ back into Christmas, to welcome the Christ Child in our souls, and to enjoy the godliness of having Christ's Mass at Christmas.