Christmas Novena (December 16–24)
The Christmas Novena is nine days of prayer that end on Christmas Eve. In 1815 Pope Pius VII encouraged the faithful to prepare for the Nativity by a novena "with pious exercises, prayers, acts of virtue," leaving its form open, and Catholic families and parishes have kept it in many ways ever since. It traditionally begins on December 16, so that the nine days carry you through the O Antiphons of December 17 to 23 to the vigil of Christmas.
This form is simple enough for a family. Each day, begin with the opening verse, pray the collect or antiphon for that day, then the novena prayer, an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be. It pairs well with the St. Andrew Christmas Novena, which many people pray from November 30 until Christmas.
Opening Verse (Each Day)
V. Incline unto my aid, O God. R. O Lord, make haste to help me. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, eternal Son of the Father, You chose to be born of the Virgin Mary in the poverty of Bethlehem. In these days before Your Nativity, make ready the stable of my heart. Clear away whatever would keep You out: pride, hurry, resentment, and sin. Give me the faith of Mary, the quiet obedience of St. Joseph, and the simple joy of the shepherds, so that when Christmas comes I may kneel before You with a clean and grateful heart. Remember all who will spend this Christmas alone, in sickness, in grief, or far from home, and let Your peace reach them. I ask You especially for this intention: (name your intention). Come, Lord Jesus, and do not delay. Amen.
The Nine Days
December 16 (Day 1): Pray the collect of Gaudete Sunday:
Incline Thine ear, O Lord, we beseech Thee, unto our prayers; and by the grace of Thy visitation, enlighten the darkness of our mind. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
December 17 to 23 (Days 2 to 8): Pray the O Antiphon of the day: O Wisdom (17), O Adonai (18), O Root of Jesse (19), O Key of David (20), O Dayspring (21), O King of the Nations (22), and O Emmanuel (23). The full texts in English and Latin are on our page The O Antiphons.
December 24 (Day 9): Pray the collect of Christmas Eve:
O God, who makest us glad in looking forward year by year to our Redemption, grant that we who joyfully hail Thine only begotten Son for our Redeemer, may with full confidence behold Him when He shall come to be our Judge, the same our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Saints of the season: the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, who made the journey to Bethlehem; St. John the Baptist, who prepared the way; and St. Lucy, whose December 13 feast was once a beloved Advent festival of light.
See also: The O Antiphons, St. Andrew Christmas Novena, Advent Wreath Prayers, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Prayers, Christmas Prayer (Traditional), Advent Prayer (Traditional), and Feast of the Holy Family Prayers.
About this novena: The daily novena prayer is not a traditional text. This is an original prayer written for Daily Catholic Prayers. The opening verse and the account of Pope Pius VII's 1815 grant are from The New Raccolta (Philadelphia: Peter F. Cunningham & Son, 1903); the collects are from The Roman Missal, translated by Edward A. Pace and John J. Wynne, S.J. (New York: The Home Press, 1916); all public domain.
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