There can be no Advent without a Lent

     Surely Advent, thus then Christmas, is the greatest day in the salvation of man to ever have been, therefore concluding with the Sacred Lent of His Redemption. There is no joy without sorrow and therefore no sorrow without Joy. They go hand in hand. Every birth pang results in a beautiful baby. Every step toward holliness,  results in triumph over suffering. Nothing can come without the other. In Mary's elation of Her Immaculate Conception, came the following of Her beloved Son to the Holy cross. Bittersweet. Those two words go together so justifiably. Our awaiting Jesus' Holy birth, comes each year with joy and happiness. Only to recall that shortly after we walk the way of Jesus with Him to His crucifixion. Then completing God's plan for salvation and the overcoming of death. Life will always bring death. But there is such a Sweetness in it all. We contemplate our destiny and our first existence as one. One in the cycle of life. Won in our triumph over death. 

     There can be no Advent without a Lent. We must help each other remember this. All the fruits of suffering are provided in our Lent and all of the joy of our Advent provides us with our Holy Christmas.