“Advent is the “sacrament” of the PRESENCE of God in His world, in the Mystery of Christ at work in History…
This mystery is the revelation of God Himself in His Incarnate Son. But it is not merely a manifestation of the Divine Perfections, it is the concrete plan of God for the salvation of men and the restoration of the whole world in Christ.
This plan is envisaged not as a future prospect but as a present fact. The “last things” are already present and realized in a hidden manner. The Kingdrom of God is thus already “in the midst of us.” But, the mystery can only be known by those who enter into it, who find their place in the Mystical Christ, and therefore find the mystery of Christ realized and fulfilled in themselves.” ~Thomas Merton, Seasons of Celebration
