Christmas Novena

Day 5

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 5: The humility of the manger

There was no room in the inn, and the King of glory was laid in a feeding trough for animals. The poverty of Bethlehem teaches us that God comes not to the proud and crowded heart but to the lowly and the open. He who clothes the lilies of the field was wrapped in swaddling bands; He who feeds the birds was laid where beasts come to feed. The lesson of the manger is plain: only the humble have room to receive a God who comes so small.

O lowly Infant of Bethlehem, who found no room in the inn and chose a manger for Your throne, empty my heart of pride and self-importance. Make within me a clean and humble space, that there may be room for You, and welcome the King who comes so poor for love of me. Amen.

Today's intention:

For humility to make room for Christ within me.

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.