It was at this point that the Son of God announced: See, I am coming!

[…] You already know who it is that comes, where he comes from and to whom, together with the why, the wherefore, and the when.

The one thing still to learn is the road by which he comes, and this we must diligently search out so that we can run to meet him and give him a fitting welcome.

However, just as he once came on earth in the flesh to accomplish our salvation, so he comes daily in the spirit to save each individual soul; the difference is that his first coming was visible to the eye, whereas the second is unseen.

As Scripture says: Christ the Lord is the breath of life to us, and the hidden nature of this spiritual coming is shown in the continuation of the same text: Under his shadow we shall live among the nations.

For this reason, even if you are too sick to go very far to meet the Lord, it is appropriate for you to respond to the great physician’s visit by making an effort at least to raise your head and lift yourself up a little to greet him on his arrival.

The road pointed out to you is not a long one; you do not have to cross the seas or pierce the clouds or climb mountains to meet your God.

Enter into your own soul and you will find him, for his word is near you; it is on your lips and in your heart.

Go down deep into your heart until you are stirred to compunction; make your confession, and so at least turn your back on a conscience so defiled as to be unworthy of entertaining the author of purity.

These are the thoughts I put before you in respect to the coming of our Lord to each individual soul and the enlightenment his powerful presence brings us.

Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153): Sermon 1 On the Advent of the Lord, 9-10, from the Monastic Office of Vigils, Monday of the Second Week of Advent Year I.