Christmas Novena – 9 Days of Prayer
Nine days of prayer from December 16-24 to prepare your heart for the coming of the Savior
The Christmas Novena prepares your heart for the birth of the Saviour with nine days of prayer from December 16 to 24. It is inspired by a traditional novena attributed to Fr. Charles Vachetta, C.M., written in 1721. If Advent is slipping away in busyness, this prayer returns you to the stable at Bethlehem each day. Many families say it together after dinner, which turns a shopping season into a season of waiting. By the ninth night you will have traced the whole story, from promise to stable. Light a candle, switch off the screens and let the children hear the words, so Christmas Eve arrives with something quieter inside it.
A novena is nine consecutive days of prayer. Begin nine days before the feast (December 25) and finish on its eve. You can pray this novena at any time of year.
Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app
Open in the app App StoreGoogle PlayChristmas Novena – day by day
Day 1 – For the Coming of Wisdom
O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father and the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.
O Eternal Wisdom, You proceed from the mouth of the Most High, and reach from end to end, ordering all things with strength and gentleness. Come and teach us the way of prudence. Lord, You sent Your prophets to speak of the coming of the Savior. Fulfill in us the promises You made through them. As we await the birth of Your Son, open our minds to receive Your wisdom, that we may know Your will and walk in Your ways.
Hasten, we beseech You, O Lord; do not delay. Grant us the help of Your grace, so that Your coming may comfort those who trust in Your mercy.
(Mention your intentions here.)
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among 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.
Day 2 – For the Coming of Our Lord and Leader
O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father and the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.
O Lord and Leader of the house of Israel, You appeared to Moses in a bush aflame, and on the peak of Sinai gave him Your law. Come now and bring us Your redemption with Your mighty outstretched arm. Lord, You freed Your people from bondage and led them through the desert. Free us from the slavery of sin and lead us toward the light of Your Son.
Hasten, we beseech You, O Lord; do not delay. Grant us the help of Your grace, so that Your coming may comfort those who trust in Your mercy.
(Mention your intentions here.)
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among 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.
Day 3 – For the Coming of the Root of Jesse
O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father and the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.
O Root of Jesse, You stand as a sign for all peoples. Before You kings shall keep silence; to You all nations shall have recourse. Come quickly to deliver us. Lord, from the family of David You chose to bring forth the Savior of the world. Let us draw strength from the Root that gives life to all, and let the nations find peace in Your Son.
Hasten, we beseech You, O Lord; do not delay. Grant us the help of Your grace, so that Your coming may comfort those who trust in Your mercy.
(Mention your intentions here.)
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among 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.
Inspired by the traditional Christmas Novena composed by Fr. Charles Vachetta, C.M. (1721) · Based on the O Antiphons of Advent and Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah
More novenas
- Divine Mercy Novena
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena
- Immaculate Conception Novena
- Holy Spirit Novena
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Novena
- Assumption of Mary Novena
Frequently asked questions
When should I start the Christmas Novena?
Begin on December 16 so the ninth day falls on Christmas Eve. The novena is traditionally prayed in these last nine days of Advent.
How do I pray the Christmas Novena?
Pray the prayer once each day, lighting an Advent candle if you have one. It works well after a meal or before bed.
Who is the Christmas Novena for?
It is for families, couples and individuals who want to keep Christmas holy. It is also a good way to include children in Advent.
Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app
Open in the app App StoreGoogle Play