You who are earth born and you who are mortal hear this ! You who are in the dust awake and sing praise. A physician is coming to the sick, a redeemer to those who have been sold, a path to wanderers and life to the dead. ( Is 26:19 ) Yes one is coming who will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea, who will heal all our diseases who will carry us back to the source of our original worth. Great is the might but more wonderful is the mercy in that the One who could help us willed to come to our assistance! Today Scripture says you shall know that the Lord will come.

If we were in the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, where no foe enters we would have nothing to fear. ( Heb 9:11-12 ) As it is we are exposed to the three malign and powerful winds: the flesh, the devil and the world. These attempt to extinguish the enlightened conscience by blowing evil desires and illicit impulses into our hearts spinning you around so suddenly that you scarcely know where you are going. Therefore the soul must be sheltered by both pair of hands for fear that what has already been lighted may be extinguished. We must choose to burn rather then to give way. We must never forget the interests of our souls and we should make this the chief occupation of our hearts.

So then once our loins are thus girded and our lamps are burning, we must keep watch by night over the flock of our thoughts and actions. ( Lk 2:8 ) Then whether the Lord comes in the first watch or in the second or in the third he will find us prepared. The first watch is uprightness of action – trying to bring your whole life into line with the Rule you have vowed. The second is purity of intention. Whatever you do you should do for God’s sake. The third is the safeguarding of unity so that situated as you are in a community, you put what others want before what you want. We are building up our faith so that if we cannot see the wonders reserved for us, we can at least contemplate something of the wonders that have been done for us on earth.

Well then, I know how great is the tribulation you endure for Christ. If only your consolation through him may be great. To offer you worldly consolation I neither wish nor am I allowed. ( 2 Cor 1 5-6 ) Consolation of that kind is cheap and does no good and we must fear even more that it is a hindrance to true and salutary consolation. The One who is the delight and glory of the angels has himself become the salvation and consolation.

As we are about to celebrate the ineffable mystery of the Lord’s birth, we are rightly bidden to be prepared in all holiness. The Holy of holies is present; present is the one who said ‘Be holy for I the Lord your God am holy’. This is the right time then for perfect holiness to be pointed out to you – an inner washing is enjoined on us, a spiritual purifying is required. As the Lord says, Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. For this we live to this have we been called, for this day has today dawned upon us.

Once it was night when no one could work. It was night throughout the whole world before the rising of the true light before the birth of Christ. It was night for every single one of us before our conversion and inner rebirth. Were not the deepest night and the thickest darkness upon the whole face of the earth when long ago our ancestors worshiped counterfeit gods? Those who sleep, sleep at night says the Apostle and those who are drunk are drunk at night.

And this is how you once were but you have been awakened and you have been made holy ( 1 Cor 6:11 ) if indeed you are children of the light. The herald of the day then is also the one who cries out, be sober, be vigilant. The night is far gone the day is near. Let us cast off the world of darkness and put on the armor of light ! ( John 12:32 ) He is drawing all things to himself , he who is over all, God Blessed forever. Amen.

From the Sermons of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot