Chapter 2 of the Introduction to the Season of Advent: The Mystery of Advent, from Volume I of "The Liturgical Year" by Dom Prosper Guéranger.The mystery of Advent centers on the threefold coming of Christ: His first coming in the flesh in humility, His continual coming in grace to the souls who receive Him, and His final coming in glory for judgement. During this season, the Church longs for all three: she recalls with yearning the ancient desire for the Messiah’s birth, implores Christ’s spiritual visitation in the present through grace, and looks with both hope and trembling toward His future return, which will bring eternal joy to the elect and fearful justice to the unrepentant. Her liturgy gives voice to these desires through prayers and symbols that express penitence, expectation, and restrained joy, echoing the prophets and preparing hearts for the Redeemer. Though marked by somber tones, suppressed hymns, and penitential practices, Advent also contains signs of hope, for the Church knows that the Savior has already come and remains with her, and thus her longing is suffused with confidence as she awaits the night when divine light will dispel all sorrow.Dom Prosper Guéranger's The Liturgical Year, a monumental fifteen-volume work, offers a comprehensive exploration of the Catholic Church’s liturgical calendar, guiding readers through the spiritual and historical richness of the Church’s worship. Written in the 19th century, the series provides daily meditations, historical context, and liturgical texts for the Mass and Divine Office, covering the entire cycle of seasons—Advent, Christmas, Lent, Passiontide, Easter, and the Time after Pentecost—as well as feast days of saints. Guéranger’s work, rooted in a deep contemplative spirit, aims to immerse the faithful in the Church’s prayerful life, emphasizing the unity of faith through the axiom lex orandi, lex credendi ("the law of prayer is the law of belief"), and remains a cherished resource for Catholics seeking to deepen their spiritual lives. Dom Prosper Guéranger (1805–1875) was a French Benedictine monk, liturgical scholar, and founder of the Solesmes Abbey, renowned for his pivotal role in reviving the Benedictine Order in France and restoring the Roman liturgy after the disruptions of the French Revolution. Born in Sablé-sur-Sarthe, he entered the priesthood in 1827 and, inspired by a vision to restore monastic life, reestablished the Benedictine community at Solesmes in 1833, becoming its first abbot. A staunch defender of ultramontanism and traditional Catholic worship, he also championed the revival of Gregorian chant, significantly influencing the liturgical renewal movement.Please note: The entries of the Liturgical Year are primarily authored by Dom Prosper Guéranger, but occasionally contain editors’ additions of subsequent information and events that are relevant to the given feast.Link to the Dom Guéranger's Liturgical Year playlist (updated daily, unless a Ferial day): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZKdyYnV_bkh7rH6piW0ShgsdcefFoOvJ