The twelfth-century abbot and contemplative known to history as "The Mellifluous Teacher' wrote sermons for the entire Christmas liturgical cycle-from the first Sunday of Advent (four weeks before Christmas) to the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary/Presentation of Christ in the Temple (2 February). As he reflects on the wonder of the Incarnation, he reminds Christians still today that Christmas celebrates the awesome condescension of God-with-us, not a commercial carnival.

These eighty-six sermons are among the most famous and most beautiful examples of medieval scriptural exegesis. In them the modern reader can catch a glimpse of the genius an entire generation found irresistible.

Volumes available singly or as a set.

These eighty-six sermons are among the most famous and most beautiful examples of medieval scriptural exegesis. In them the modern reader can catch a glimpse of the genius an entire generation found irresistible.

Volumes available singly or as a set.

William of Saint Thierry wrote The Mirror of Faith and The Enigma of Faith shortly after he read the Theology of Peter Abelard. Writing at the cistercian abbey of Signy, which he entered in 1135 after fifteen years as a benedictine abbot, he tried to correct what he considered Abelard's failure to root his theology in the faith revealed by Christ in Scripture and explained by generations of Church Fathers. Unless we choose to believe, he was convinced, we will never understand rationally or love truly the triune God who calls us to the full 'recognition which is mutual to the Father and Sone[and] is the very unity of both, the Holy Spirit'.