In a wholly unique work, the author examines the liturgy, myths and Jungian implications of Advent and reveals it as a summons to our personal rebirth

The Christian season of Advent, covering the span of about four weeks prior to Christmas, is rich with religious and psychological significance. In the darkest, shortest days of the year, people turn their thoughts to rebirth and the creation of new light. It is a time for psychic birth guiding us toward wider consciousness and a heightened experience of life. This yearning in human beings goes back to the primal roots of civilization. The prayers and liturgies of the Advent season echo the myths of winter solstice festivals and the ancient desire of people to return to the nurturing chaos of unformed matter. Advent prayers parallel the efforts of alchemists who strove to turn base metal into higher and more noble elements. Advent expresses a fundamental longing for transformation.

This is a book of inspiring prayers and meditations for the Advent and Christmas season. Daily prayers for morning and evening devotion are followed by a space in which the reader in encouraged to write his or her own prayers, meditations, reflections, and insights.

Saint Alphonsus of Liguori (Italy, 1696-1787), priest and doctor of the Church, is considered one of the greatest masters of the spiritual life, and for him all men are called to salvation, and the means are available for everyone that wants to reach perfection in Christ. St. Alphonsus wrote this Meditations for Advent-Christmas "INCARNATION, BIRTH AND INFANCY OF JESUS CHRIST" in 1750 but his ailments and many obligations did not allow him to publish it until the year 1758. These meditations are based on scriptures on the incarnation, infancy and birth of Jesus Christ. They reflect the great love of the author towards God and his son reflected in the work of the incarnation and redemption of mankind. It is a magnificent reading to meditate and it is also a good companion on the path of spiritual growth at any time of the year but especially for the time of Advent and Christmas. It will surely help to enter and live the true spirit of the birth of the Savior.

The author of the popular Meditations for Great Lent takes us through the hymnography, scripture readings, and iconography for the forty days leading up to the Nativity of Christ, showing how a full understanding of the Incarnation can enrich our spiritual lives.

Along with scripture readings and prayers, this book offers four weeks of meditations that focus on the growth of Jesus in the womb of Mary. Mark Bozzutti-Jones offers a unique perspective on the season of Advent. He provides four weeks of meditations that focus on the growth of Jesus in the womb of Mary as he approaches the day of his birth, learns his mother's voice, responds to the presence of light and dark, and begins to position himself for birth. What does this teach us about our own spiritual journey through Advent? Waiting and preparation is essential to the Christian life. By reflecting on our own birth experiences and Jesus' own progress through the womb, Christians can learn how to remain intimate with God, how to approach the light, and how to get ready for new birth in Christ. The Womb of Advent guides the reader through each day with a mantra, scripture reading, and questions to focus our meditation. Each session ends with a spiritual exercise.

In this volume, Christian literary writers of the Chrysostom Society reflect on Advent and Christmastide as a bright and meaningful season of anticipation and glory. Through forty-two readings from the first Sunday of Advent through Epiphany, contributors prepare us in watchful waiting for the coming of Jesus.