"This is he of whom it is written: Behold I send my Angel
before Thy face, who shall prepare Thy way before Thee."
(St. Matt. XI. 10).
_1st. Prelude._ Picture of the Naming Day of St. John the Baptist who is
on Our Lady's knee, while Elizabeth and the kinsfolk are discussing the
name and Zachary is writing on a tablet; St. Joseph is looking on.
_2nd. Prelude._ The spirit of penance.
Often during Advent the Church directs our thoughts to the great
Precursor of JESUS Christ, to him who was sent to prepare His ways. On
four occasions she chooses for the "Gospel" in the Mass, passages which
relate to St. John the Baptist and his work of preparation. If we would
prepare well for the coming of our King, we cannot do better than
meditate on St. John the Baptist and try in our small measure to prepare
as he did.