Bernard of Clairvaux: Sermons for Advent and the Christmas Season

The twelfth-century abbot and contemplative known to history as The Mellifluous Teacher' wrote sermons for the entire Christmas liturgical cycle -- from the first Sunday of Advent (four weeks before Christmas) to the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary/Presentation of Christ in the Temple (2 February). As he reflects on the wonder of the Incarnation, he reminds Christians still today that Christmas celebrates the awesome condescension of God-with-us, not a commercial carnival.