Advent is a time when we recall the Son of God becoming man for us, and we prepare ourselves for his second coming in glory. It is a time for active expectation, desire, prayer, communication, and joy.

 

Christmas is a time for joy and contemplation of the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God. We witness the first manifestations of his efforts to save us. We also think of Mary, the Mother of God, during this season.

 

In the method of prayer proposed by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, contemplation of the mysteries of Christ’s life plays a central role. That is why, in addition to prayerful reading, we highlight what is called Ignatian contemplation on the Infancy Narratives of the gospels.