Fourth Week of Advent

Yes one is coming who will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea, who will heal all our ills, who will carry us back to the source of our original worth. Great is the might but more wonderful is the mercy in that the One who could help us willed to come to our assistance! Today Scripture says you shall know that the Lord will come.

Well then, I know how great is the tribulation you endure for Christ. If only your consolation through him may be great. To offer you worldly consolation I neither wish nor am I allowed. ( 2 Cor 1 5-6 ) Consolation of that kind is cheap and does no good and we must fear even more that it is a hindrance to true and salutary consolation. So then the One who is the delight and glory of the angels has himself become our salvation and consolation.

As we are about to celebrate the ineffable mystery of the Lord’s birth we are rightly bidden to be prepared in all holiness. The Holy of holies is present; Present is the one who said, Be holy for I the Lord your God am holy.

This is the right time then for perfect holiness to be pointed out to you – an inner washing is enjoined on us, a spiritual purifying is required. As the Lord says. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. For this we live to this have we been called, for this day has today dawned upon us. Once it was night when no one could work. It was night throughout the whole world before the rising of the true light before the birth of Christ. It was night for every single one of us before our conversion and inner rebirth.

Were not the deepest night and the thickest darkness upon the whole face of the earth when long ago our ancestors worshiped counterfeit gods? Those who sleep, sleep at night says the Apostle and those who are drunk are drunk at night. And this is how you once were but you have been awakened and you have been made holy ( 1 Cor 6:11 ) if indeed you are children of the light.

The herald of the day then is also the one who cries out, be sober, be vigilant. ( John 12:32 ) The night is far gone the day is near. Let us cast off the world of darkness and put on the armor of light !

Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this word which the Lord has brought to pass and revealed to us. It is the house of bread and it is good for us to be there. We live in Christ and Christ lives in us. He is drawing all things to himself , he who is over all, God Blessed forever. Amen.

St Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot
the Advent Sermons

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