Novena for Christmas

Advent is a season of great expectation and hope. It is a time of feverish preparations and much activity. When we get past the half-way point of the season, there may be a bit of a panic that enters our heart when we realize that there are only a certain number of days left to Christmas. How do we get it all done?! There is an antidote to that sinking feeling of anxiety as Christmas is just around the corner. I know because I grew up with it. It is called the Christmas Novena.

The nine days before Christmas, from December 16 through December 24, is a time of intense prayer in preparation for the Solemnity of Our Lord’s Birth. During these days, no matter what is happening our life, no matter what may be preoccupying us, what may be giving us stress, or no matter what burdens we are placing on ourselves, peace can be ours if we enter into the preparation that is above all spiritual. We are called to focus on Him who is the reason for all that we do. It is a reminder to us that Christmas is not primarily about what we do, rather, it is about what He does for us in our lives.

The Novena can be celebrated in a simple and beautiful manner. First, we can look for a prayer to the Infant Savior that will serve as a means to lift up our hearts and minds to Him and a way of offering our intentions. The prayer below is a beautiful prayer that can be used. It should be prayed slowly with recollection and devotion each day.

O Divine Infant Jesus, Your Birth in the stable of Bethlehem

reveals to the world the infinite love of God by Your becoming One of us.

Your Most Holy Mother Mary cradled You in her arms with love beyond all telling

as Your humility submitted to the poverty of Your manger bed.

Angels sang of the glory of Your majesty. Shepherds knelt on bended knee to adore

You, God made Man.

Holy Child, we, too, kneel before You and beg You to receive the petitions we lay before Your throne of wood and straw.

(HERE MENTION YOUR PETITIONS.)

Jesus, Holy Infant King, and Redeemer of us all,

Fill us with grace that we may find peace and joy at Your Nativity.

Grant our hearts help, hope and love through the powerful intercession of

Your Immaculate Mother Mary and that of Your Foster Father,

Good St. Joseph. Amen.

Second, ask for direction in deciding on the intentions for the novena. It is often helpful to pray for both particular intentions and general intentions. The particular ones may be those people who have asked us for our prayers or those to whom we have promised our prayers. For example, we may pray for those people who are suffering in body, mind or soul, for those family members or friends experiencing grief or anxiety or despair or lack of faith. The general intentions may be for revival of the Church, for peace throughout the world and especially for those places experiencing war such as Ukraine and the Middle East, for renewal of family life, for pregnant women in crisis situations, for unborn children that they may be born without the threat of abortion. No matter what the intentions may be, we must offer them to the Infant Savior with faith and love. We should not forget ourselves either. We must pray boldly and with confidence. A religious sister who is a friend of mine always says, “Never ask the King for a penny, ask for the whole wad!” When we go to the King in the manger, let us remember that He wants to give us all!

Third, in addition to praying the Novena Prayer with confidence, we should accompany it with some other acts of love for the Savior. A wonderful practice is to attend Mass each day of the Novena and offer a Novena of Holy Communions to the Infant King. Spending some time before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament each day is a great gift to Him and a source of immense grace. Going to meet the Merciful Jesus in Confession is a wonderful preparation for His Birth on Christmas. Finally, an act of charity or kindness in His name to others each day is a great source of grace for us all those for whom we pray.

During these last days before Christmas, no matter what is on our “to do list”, we must not forget that which is first and foremost is to pray, pray, pray! When we come before the manger of the Infant Savior, we do not want to arrive with hearts that are empty of love for Him. Never ask the King for a penny…!

A Most Blessed and Happy Christmas to all!

Most Reverend William J. Waltersheid

Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh