Christmas Novena

Day 1

10 min

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.

Christmas Novena

Opening prayer:

O Lord Jesus, eternal Word of the Father, who for love of us willed to be born of the Virgin Mary, prepare my heart to receive You. As I keep these nine days of watching, kindle in me a holy longing, and come to be born anew in my soul. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 1: The Word was made flesh

The eternal Son, through whom all things were made, chose to become a child for our sake. We marvel that the One whom the heavens cannot contain willed to be held in a mother's arms, that we might be lifted to God. St. John proclaims that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. In this self-emptying, God does not cease to be God but bends low, that the lowly might be raised up to share His life.

O Word made flesh, eternal Son of the Father, who for love of us became a little child, fill my heart with wonder before this mystery. As You came down to share my nature, raise me up to share Your life, and let the marvel of Bethlehem set my whole soul aflame with gratitude. Amen.

Today's intention:

For wonder at the mystery of God becoming man.

Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.

Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Pater noster, qui es in cælis,

sanctificétur nomen tuum.

Advéniat regnum tuum.

Fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cælo et in terra.

Panem nostrum quotidiánum da nobis hódie,

et dimítte nobis débita nostra,

sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris.

Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem,

sed líbera nos a malo.

Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Ave María, grátia plena, Dóminus tecum.

Benedícta tu in muliéribus,

et benedíctus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.

Sancta María, Mater Dei,

ora pro nobis peccatóribus,

nunc et in hora mortis nostræ.

Amen.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.

Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,

et in sǽcula sæculórum.

Amen.

Closing prayer:

Come, Lord Jesus, and do not delay; let the night of waiting give way to the dawn of Your coming. Make my heart a poor and lowly manger, swept clean and ready, that when You are born at Bethlehem You may find a home in me. Amen.

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.