Rockford, Illinois: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc.

This volume consists of nine sermons preached by St. Francis de Sales—saintly Bishop, Founder and Doctor of the Church—during Advent and Christmas of various years from 1613 to 1622, the year of his death. Steeped as he was in Sacred Scripture, both Old Testament and New, St. Francis de Sales draws forth a wonderful variety of theological and mystical meanings in the events and persons com­memorated each year during the holy seasons of Advent and Christmas, bringing forth striking and unusual insights seldom met with in Christian literature; he is like the householder' 'who bringeth forth out of his treasure new things and old." (Matt. 13:52). Recognizing the central importance of the mystery of the Incarnation, God's becoming man, the holy bishop uses many figures and analogies to explain the mysterious union of the divine with the human nature in Our Lord. He also brings out many overlooked details regarding the mission of St. John the Baptist, in particular pointing out St. John's noble practice of absolute humility (a virtue of predilection for St. Francis de Sales) despite facing the greatest imaginable temptation to pride and ambition. St. Francis also reveals the surprising practical applications of the Circumcision of Jesus, describing in detail how the Christian is to cut sin from his life; he expounds on the sacred Name of Jesus and its power to save us; and he explains Our Lady's great wisdom and virtues at the Wedding Feast of Cana.

As always, St. Francis de Sales applies the hidden meanings of the sacred mysteries to the lives of his hearers, pointing out the virtues practiced by persons in the Scriptures and showing how all should imitate them. Thus, going way beyond the surface of these realities, St. Francis de Sales presents his saintly insights into the hidden lessons contained in the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God. These sermons are a veritable revelation of the unsuspected treasures which lie modestly concealed within the familiar words of the Bible on the events of Advent and Christmastide.