These short reflections by the editor of The Sacred Heart Messenger on the readings of the daily Advent liturgy explore some seasonal themes – waiting, hope, forgiveness, compassion  – and help us to find the meaning of Christmas in both the secular and the religious.

Fr Donal Neary SJ is the editor of The Sacred Heart Messenger magazine and author of many books. He formerly worked as chaplain in the Mater Dei Institute of Education and as parish priest of St Francis Xavier Church, Gardiner St, Dublin.