Author(s): Joseph Cardinal Zen; Aurelio Porfiri (Edited by)

Advent & Christmas Books for Adults | Meditation

The brave and steadfast Joseph Cardinal Zen of Hong Kong has prepared these stirring, spiritually enriching meditations to lift the souls of Catholics worldwide to God this Advent season. From his place in retirement, this Prince of the Church reaches out to the wider world to wait with him for the coming of the Messiah to redeem and to save the human race and restore mankind to a right relationship with God.

These reflections are collected from Cardinal Zen’s homilies and pastoral letters during his episcopacy in Hong Kong, a time of social and political tension. For this reason, we think that these reflections bring hope to Christians to enjoy peace and serenity. 

From the Latin adventus, meaning “arrival” or “approach,” Advent is the time in which we long for the Second Coming of Christ, as the world did for thousands of years before His birth. Cardinal Zen begs the Holy Spirit to draw us into an ever-deepening Him as we await Christ’s physical return to earth — as He promised — to break the chains oppressing mankind and restore all things to Himself. In these precious pages, you will find:

• How to let the Baby Jesus give you courage and live “out of bounds” with your hope 


• Three questions to ask yourself when preaching the gospel


• Your duty as a Christian to proclaim the truth from your heart 


• Two things you should focus on during Advent (Do you know them?)


• Ten basic attitudes you should cultivate for your salvation (Be alert!)


• The way to experience the “excessive” love, healing, mercy, and peace of God

His Eminence will help you appreciate the Advent and Christmas seasons as never before as you journey through the beauty of the liturgical themes with penetrating meditations. You will encounter the Holy Family and learn from their example, and you will delight in Epiphany, the “outburst” of our salvation. You will also see how the magi remind us of the reverence and worship we owe to our Eucharistic Lord and will discover the way to childlike trust and total surrender with our Blessed Mother.

Cardinal Zen’s inspired reflections will fill you with hopeful longing, joyful expectation, prayerful penance, and spiritual preparation as you look to the salvation history of the past, your present redemption being accomplished now, and the future coming of Our Lord and Savior.