Reflections for each day of Advent and the Christmas season begin with a scriptural quotation and continue with a thought from the writings of Thomas Merton on a timely theme: the Incarnation, anticipation, angels, and many more. An appendix includes a suggested plan for using each days meditation as part of a morning or evening prayer.
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"It is important to remember the deep... seriousness of Advent, when the mendacious celebrations of our marketing culture so easily harmonize with our tendency to regard Christmas, consciously or otherwise, as a return to our own innocence and our own infancy...." So wrote Thomas Merton, the mystical Trappist who was probably the most famous American monk of the 20th century. Here, some of Merton's writings on Advent and Christmas are offered in a day-by-day format, each one paired with a scripture passage and a daily prayer. Merton's excerpts are taken from his well-known autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain and the liturgical guide Seasons of Celebration, but also from some of his more esoteric books, such as Zen and the Birds of Appetite. The editors' prayers don't match the quality of these excerpts, but the book's overall effect is reflective and thoughtful.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
About the Author
A Redemptorist Pastoral Publication is often written by more than one author. These publications approach sometimes-difficult topics using a down-to-earth style consistent with the pastoral understanding and care Redemptorists are known for in their ministry to individuals.
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Thomas Merton (1915-1968) is arguably the most influential American Catholic author of the twentieth century. His autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, has millions of copies and has been translated into over fifteen languages. He wrote over sixty other books and hundreds of poems and articles on topics ranging from monastic spirituality to civil rights, nonviolence, and the nuclear arms race.
After a rambunctious youth and adolescence, Merton converted to Roman Catholicism and entered the Abbey of Gethsemani, a community of monks belonging to the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists), the most ascetic Roman Catholic monastic order.
The twenty-seven years he spent in Gethsemani brought about profound changes in his self-understanding. This ongoing conversion impelled him into the political arena, where he became, according to Daniel Berrigan, the conscience of the peace movement of the 1960's. Referring to race and peace as the two most urgent issues of our time, Merton was a strong supporter of the nonviolent civil rights movement, which he called "certainly the greatest example of Christian faith in action in the social history of the United States." For his social activism Merton endured severe criticism, from Catholics and non-Catholics alike, who assailed his political writings as unbecoming of a monk.
During his last years, he became deeply interested in Asian religions, particularly Zen Buddhism, and in promoting East-West dialogue. After several meetings with Merton during the American monk's trip to the Far East in 1968, the Dali Lama praised him as having a more profound understanding of Buddhism than any other Christian he had known. It was during this trip to a conference on East-West monastic dialogue that Merton died, in Bangkok on December 10, 1968, the victim of an accidental electrocution. The date marked the twenty-seventh anniversary of his entrance to Gethsemani.
After a rambunctious youth and adolescence, Merton converted to Roman Catholicism and entered the Abbey of Gethsemani, a community of monks belonging to the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists), the most ascetic Roman Catholic monastic order.
The twenty-seven years he spent in Gethsemani brought about profound changes in his self-understanding. This ongoing conversion impelled him into the political arena, where he became, according to Daniel Berrigan, the conscience of the peace movement of the 1960's. Referring to race and peace as the two most urgent issues of our time, Merton was a strong supporter of the nonviolent civil rights movement, which he called "certainly the greatest example of Christian faith in action in the social history of the United States." For his social activism Merton endured severe criticism, from Catholics and non-Catholics alike, who assailed his political writings as unbecoming of a monk.
During his last years, he became deeply interested in Asian religions, particularly Zen Buddhism, and in promoting East-West dialogue. After several meetings with Merton during the American monk's trip to the Far East in 1968, the Dali Lama praised him as having a more profound understanding of Buddhism than any other Christian he had known. It was during this trip to a conference on East-West monastic dialogue that Merton died, in Bangkok on December 10, 1968, the victim of an accidental electrocution. The date marked the twenty-seventh anniversary of his entrance to Gethsemani.
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40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Spiritual Preparation for Christmas!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Advent and Christmas with Thomas Merton (A Redemptorist Pastoral Publication) (Paperback)
I used this book as a daily prayer and meditation guide during this past Advent and Christmas season and loved it. Some great nuggets of Merton's wisdom are provided and coupled with Bible readings as well as daily prayers. The selections are fantastic as are the prayers. I even used one of the prayers as "grace" during an extended family meal. There are also a couple "formats" given for a way to incorporate the readings into a more structured group or personal reflection. If you like Thomas Merton, you will enjoy this book as a tool in preparing and focusing on the beauty and mystery of Christmas.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Timely Reminder for Terrible Times,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Advent and Christmas with Thomas Merton (A Redemptorist Pastoral Publication) (Paperback)
Father Thomas Merton (1915-1968)converted to Catholicism in 1938, was rejected by the Franciscans for an unsavory past, and became a Trappist monk. He was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1949 and became a prolific writer whose work appealed to both Catholics and non-Catholics. His work showed men and women who they are and who they should be. The book titled ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS WITH THOMAS MERTON was published by the Redemptorists in 2002, and is a timely book of contemplation especially during the Catholic season of Advent and Christmas.Advent can mean beginning or coming such as the arrival of Christmas. Father Merton argued that Christ can come to us at birth, impression, death, and judgement. Merton thought we should be awake to spiritual renewal as soon and as often as possible to understand what is crucial before it is too late. In other words, we should reject what is false and learn what is ultimately true and inspired. Father Merton thought evil, stupid men and women were not quite able to destroy civilization because just enough thoughtful spiritual men have existed to halt such destruction-for the time being. Father Merton viewed Advent as "Sacrament" or the Real Presence of God. Father Merton thought the Real Presence was for contemporary times and not to be postponed which Father Merton thought made men and women dull and apathetic. Father Merton was emphatic that we should show light and joy as opposed to dull apathy. Father Merton's Advent and Christmas prayers and reflection dealt with The Virgin's answer "yes" during the Announciation, and readers can read that the Virgin was filled with joy which she shared with Elizabeth and others during the Nativity. Father Merton used this example as what men and women should aspire to after reading and reflection. Men and women should radiate bona fide love and avoid useless noise. Father Merton mentioned the Catholic Church bells are reminders of peace as opposed to stupidity and violence. Father Merton's Advent reflections are clear that biblial literature, The Sacraments, etc. do not annihilate us but help us to be much better people. We should become someone else, and Father Merton stated that Advent was a good time to become a monk or nun if one had accepted such a vocation. Father Merton wrote that Advent is a time for hope-bona fide hope and not false hopes. Meekness, sadness, etc. do not necessarily mean despair. Advent and what it signifies can lead men and women to be more resolute. Again, Father Merton wanted men and women should focus on "Ultimate Values" and escape from a depressing "here-and-now." Men and women should know the difference between truth and power. Power vanishes, but truth is lasting. This means that examination of conscience is necessary. Father Merton's book has excerpts from biblical literature, his own work, and prayers. The book has suggested formats and suggested prayers and readings to help men and women find Advent more meaningful. Given the aggrevated assault-and-battary and murder during mindless anger during the Christmas shopping sprees, Father Merton's book is a reminder of what Advent is, and what it is not. James E. Egolf November 28, 2011
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Advent and Christmas with Thomas Merton,
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This review is from: Advent and Christmas with Thomas Merton (A Redemptorist Pastoral Publication) (Paperback)
Advent and Christmas with Thomas Merton provided a spiritually exhilarating guide through the Season of Advent. I have been a fan of Merton's writing since the 70's and have always found them to be challenging and spiritually rewarding. When this Redemptorist publication appeared on my Amazon suggestions, I immediately ordered it, and was not dissappointed. I am thankful for Amazon's guidance and for the experience of using this book for Advent. It is written using a compilation of Merton's many works, set in a daily format to follow the Advent calendar. I also purchased the Redemptorist publication Advent and Christmas with Henri Nouwen's . Together they formed the nucleus for my Advent study, one for morning prayer, the other for evening. Both also include the 12 days of Christmas following Christmas Day, thus I continue my journey with Merton and Nouwen, men whose work transcends theology and Catholicism, and get to the root of the Christian and human experience.
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