12/04/2016 02:00pm

“The liturgy of Advent, filled with constant allusions to the joyful expectation of the Messiah, helps us to understand the fullness of the value and meaning of the mystery of Christmas…we must understand that our whole life should be an “advent”, in vigilant expectation of Christ’s final coming. Advent is then a period of intense training that directs us decisively to the One who has already come, who will come and who continuously comes. Dear brothers and sisters, may we allow the Virgin to accompany us on our way towards the Lord who comes, remaining vigilant in prayer and rejoicing in praise.” –St John Paul II, General Audience Dec 18, 2002

“The liturgy of Advent, filled with constant allusions to the joyful expectation of the Messiah, helps us to understand the fullness of the value and meaning of the mystery of Christmas…we must understand that our whole life should be an “advent”, in vigilant expectation of Christ’s final coming. Advent is then a period of intense training that directs us decisively to the One who has already come, who will come and who continuously comes. Dear brothers and sisters, may we allow the Virgin to accompany us on our way towards the Lord who comes, remaining vigilant in prayer and rejoicing in praise.” –St John Paul II, General Audience Dec 18, 2002