Pope Francis: “Joy, prayer and gratitude are three attitudes that prepare us to live Christmas in an authentic way.”  Joy is a result of an expectation of the coming of Jesus in a fresh new way into our lives. When Jesus comes in the present moment, he will bring a greater light in the area of darkness. The prayer that is most important in this expectation is "Come, Lord Jesus, come." This prayer helps us to focus our expectation on the true meaning of Christmas. Finally, gratitude is the response to all that God has already done in our lives and an anticipated response to what his coming in the present will bring about in us. Joy, prayer and gratitude are better than stress, frustration and disappointment.