Pope Benedict XVI had a very full and rich Wednesday General Audience catechesis on St. Paul's teachings of Christ as the new Adam (you can read the Zenit translation HERE). As we work our way through the first week of Advent though, it was the Holy Father's comments to the Italian speaking pilgrims that caught my eye. He spoke specifically to young people, the sick, and newlyweds -- and offered some direction for Advent:

Dear young people, I invite you to rediscover, in the spiritual climate of Advent, intimacy with Christ, placing yourselves in the school of the Virgin Mary.

I recommend to you, dear sick people, to spend this period of waiting and incessant prayer, offering to the Lord who is coming your sufferings for the salvation of the world.

Finally, I exhort you, dear newlyweds, to be builders of genuine Christian families, being inspired in the model of the Holy Family of Nazareth, whom you should look to particularly in this time of preparation for Christmas.