We live in a time of persecution, but the hope of Christmas can guide us through

Life Site News: These times are truly an advent in which we must “prepare the way of the Lord” just as much as, if not more than, we do in every Advent. But that is not to say we should despair and have a gloomy Christmas. Indeed, the joy of Christmas always follows the trials of Advent, and so it is with this historical ‘advent.’

For here the second verse comes into play. This is the verse and response used at Lauds on Christmas Day itself: “The Lord hath made known, alleluia. / His salvation, alleluia.”

Advent is indeed a period of trials, preparations, and sacrifice, all of which are rewarded with the beauty of the arrival of the Christ Child, who makes known His salvation.