Praying the Christmas Prayers of the Mystics for Advent: Preparing for the Charm of Christmas Morning (Part I)

–slowly savor the sweet sentiments of one of the prayers right now- 

Mysticism is a passionate love affair between the mystic and God. Mystics known to us today have expressed such passion in prayers. Their language is often intimate, sweet, and tender. 

Loving moments in prayer, such as those expressed by mystics to God concerning Christmas, can cultivate a calm and caring Christmas charm if we allow it. So, slowly savor the sweet sentiments of one of the prayers of these mystics right now in preparation for the season of Advent, which begins tomorrow and encourages readings, reflections, and responses during this time of commemoration of the birth of Christ on Christmas morning. 

You are also encouraged to use the practice of the antiphon by praying a noted portion of the prayer in the beginning and end of the prayer to help cultivate an intimate, sweet, and tender mystical moment between you and God. The antiphon and prayer has been personalized and marked as such ( ) below.  

-St. Bernard of Clairvaux- 

Antiphon:

Caress (me) with Your tiny hands,
embrace (me) with Your tiny arms
and pierce (my heart) with Your soft, sweet cries. 

Let Your goodness Lord appear to (me),
that (I) made in your image,
conform (myself) to it.
In (my) own strength
(I) cannot imitate Your majesty, power,
and wonder nor is it fitting for (me) to try.
But Your mercy reaches from the heavens
through the clouds to the earth below.
You have come to (me) as a small child,
you have brought (me) the greatest of all gifts,
the gift of eternal love.
Caress (me) with Your tiny hands,
embrace (me) with Your tiny arms
and pierce (my heart) with Your soft, sweet cries. 

Antiphon:

Caress (me) with Your tiny hands,
embrace (me) with Your tiny arms
and pierce (my heart) with Your soft, sweet cries. 

-now slowly savor these sweet sentiments
and allow a little time for reflection and responses-