Today is Day Four of the Christmas Novena.
Posted on 12/15/2005 6:02:00 PM PST by NYer
Catholics in many cultures have prayed the Christmas Novena (nine consecutive days of prayer), from December 16-24. It is a devotion well worth reviving, particularly in young families, for it focuses attention intensely on our expectation of the Coming King, and helps to prepare us spiritually to receive him into our hearts.
The Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (on theVatican web site) comments on the background of the Christmas Novena, and suggests the use of the "O Antiphons" (see below) in the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, at Vespers:
"103. The Christmas novena began as a means of communicating the riches of the Liturgy to the faithful who were unable easily to grasp it. It has played a very effective role and can continue to play such a role. At the same time, in current conditions where the faithful have easier access to the Liturgy, it would seem desirable that Vespers from the 17-23 of December should be more solemn by adopting the use of the "major antiphons", and by inviting the faithful to participate at the celebration. Such a celebration, held either before of after which the popular devotions to which the faithful are particularly attached, would be an ideal "Christmas Novena", in full conformity with the Liturgy and mindful of the needs of the faithful. Some elements, such as the homily, the use of incense, and the intercessions, could also be expanded within the celebration of Vespers."
Click HERE to order this Novena in brochure form for your family, prayer group, entire parish.
The Christmas Novena that follows is suggested for devotions in Catholic homes, the "Domestic Church". It begins with the Our Father and Hail Mary, and its structure resembles the prayers for Vespers of the Breviary, or Divine Office.
All: In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. +
Our Father... Hail Mary...
Father: O Lord, Open my lips.
All: And my mouth shall proclaim Your praise.
Father: O God, come to my assistance.
All: O Lord, make haste to help us. 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. Alleluia.
Father: The Lord our Coming King, hasten to adore.
All: The Lord our Coming King, hasten to adore.
Eldest child: Rejoice, O Daughter of Sion, and exult, O Daughter of Jerusalem.
All: The Lord our Coming King, hasten to adore.
Eldest child: Behold, He that is God and man shall come forth from the house of David, His Father, to sit upon His throne, and you shall see Him and your heart shall rejoice.
All: Hasten to adore.
Eldest child: Behold, the Lord shall come, our Protector, the Holy One of Israel, bearing on His head the crown of the Kingdom.
All: The Lord Our Coming King, hasten to adore.
Eldest child: The Lord will descend, as rain on the field. His justice shall rise in those days, and all the kings of the earth shall adore Him, all nations shall serve Him.
All: Hasten to adore.
Eldest child: A child shall be born to us, and He shall be called the God of strength. Bethlehem, city of the Highest God, out from you shall go forth the ruler of Israel, and peace will be on the earth, when He shall have come.
All: The Lord our coming King, hasten to adore.
Father : Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
All: As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
All: The Lord, our Coming King. Hasten to adore.
All: Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, for the day of the Lord is nigh: behold, He will come to save us, alleluia, alleluia!
Father: Let the heavens rejoice and the earth exult. Praise the Lord, you mountains.
All: Let the mountains break forth into gladness, and the hills with justice.
Father: For the Lord shall come and to the poor He shall show mercy.
All: Drop down dew, you heavens, from above and let the clouds rain down the Just One;
Father: Let the earth be opened and bud forth the Savior.
All: Be mindful of us, O Lord, and visit us in Your salvation.
Father: Show to us, O Lord, Your mercy, and grant us your salvation.
All: Come, O Lord, in peace visit us that with a perfect heart we may rejoice before You.
Father: Come, O Lord, do not tarry; do away with the offenses of Your people.
All: Come and show to us Your countenance, O Lord. You sit upon the cherubim.
Father: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
All: As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
All : Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, for the day of the Lord is nigh; behold, He will come to save us, alleluia, alleluia.
Reading
[Isaiah 35:1-7a ] Mother: A reading from the prophet Isaiah: The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the rose it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the weak knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance with the recompense of God. He will come and save you."
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water.
All: Thanks be to God.
(On Dec. 16, continue: "Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and His Name shall be called Emmanuel, Alleluia, Alleluia." Each day thereafter until Christmas, say the O Antiphon of the day.)
The Magnificat
[Luke 1:46-55 RSV] Father: My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
All: For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed,
Father: For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.
All: And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
Father: He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,
All: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and has exalted those of low degree;
Father: He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.
All: He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy.
Father: As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his posterity forever.
All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Father: As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
All: (repeat the O Antiphon of the day)
Father: O Lord, hear my prayer.
All: And let my cry come to You.
Father: Let us pray. Stir up Thy power and come, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and with great might help us. May our deliverance, which our sins impede, be hastened by the help of Thy grace and the forgiveness of Thy mercy. Who lives and reigns forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Father: Let us bless the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Father: May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
All: Amen.
All: In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. +
The "Great O's" The final phase of preparation for Christmas begins with the first of the great O Antiphons of Advent on the evening of December 17. These prayers are seven jewels of liturgical song, one for each day until Christmas Eve. They seem to sum up all our Advent longing for the Savior.
The O Antiphons are intoned with special solemnity in monasteries at Vespers, before and after the Magnificat, Mary's prayer of praise and thanksgiving from the Gospel of Luke (1:46-55), which is sung every evening as the climax of this Hour of the Divine Office.
A vestige of the "Great O's" can be seen in verses of the familiar Advent hymn, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel".
Families interested in the liturgy have discovered these gems of liturgical poetry and use them in their evening prayers. An O Antiphon House similar to an Advent Calendar, can be made, with seven windows, each concealing an appropriate symbol for each O Antiphon, and an eighth window hiding the Nativity scene. As with an Advent calendar, one window is opened each day.
The sublime meditation of the Great O's would be excellent for families with children who have outgrown the Jesse Tree or Advent calendar. In any case, they are beautiful additions to your family prayers in the days just before Christmas.
The O Antiphons appear below in English translation, with scriptural sources and suggested symbols.
O WISDOM, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: Come, and teach us the way of prudence.
Sirach 24:2; Wisdom 8:1. Symbols: oil lamp, open book.
O LORD AND RULER of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come, and redeem us with outstretched arm.
Exodus 3:2, 20:1. Symbols: burning bush, stone tablets .
O ROOT OF JESSE, who stands for an ensign of the people, before whom kings shall keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: Come to deliver us, and tarry not.
Isaiah 11:1-3., 10 Symbol: vine or plant in flower, especially a rose.
O KEY OF DAVID, and Scepter of the House of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens: Come, and bring forth the captive from his prison, he who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Isaiah 22:22. Symbols: key; broken chains.
O DAWN OF THE EAST, brightness of the light eternal, and Sun of Justice: Come, and enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Psalm 19:6-7. Symbol: rising sun.
O KING OF THE GENTILES and their desired One, the Cornerstone that makes both one: Come, and deliver man, whom You formed out of the dust of the earth.
Psalm 2:7-8, Ephesians 2:14-20. Symbols, Crown, scepter .
O EMMANUEL, God with us, our King and Lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Savior: Come to save us, O Lord our God.
I saiah 7:14; 33:22. Symbols: tablets of stone, Chalice and Host.
------- This Christmas Novena is intended for private use.
Scripture from the Revised Standard Version - Catholic Edition
From Celebrating Advent and ChristmasA Sourcebook for Families
Copyright Women for Faith & Family, PO Box 300411, St. Louis, MO 63130 - Phone 314 863-8385; Fax 314 863-5858.
Thank you!
Lovely readings.
Thanks!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1541402/posts?page=18#18
I am going along with CatholicCulture.org
They say it is Day Two of the Christmas Novena.
Repeat the prayers, reading the Scripture for the Second Day as well as the “O Antiphon” for today.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1541402/posts?page=18#18
I am going along with CatholicCulture.org
They say it is Day Three of the Christmas Novena.
Repeat the prayers, reading the Scripture for the Third Day as well as the “O Antiphon” for today.
The Christmas Novena starts today. BTTT!
Today is Day One of the Christmas Novena
Today is Day Two of the Christmas Novena
Today is Day Three of the Christmas Novena.
Today is Day Four of the Christmas Novena
Today is Day Five of the Christmas Novena
Wishing Advent blessings to all.
A Blessed Advent to you!
A Christmas novena is usually prayed, starting nine days before Christmas. The following novena was composed by an Italian priest, Rev. Charles Vachetta, C.M., in 1721. Most of the material comes from the Old Testament prophecies and the Psalms referring to the promised Redeemer.
The novena consists of Opening Responsory Prayers, Psalm (Let the Heavens Be Glad), Scripture Reading, Magnificat with Daily Antiphon and Closing Prayer.
This novena is prayed in conjunction with the O Antiphons, and if you are using an O Antiphon House or Tower, you would open the windows during this prayer.
Opening Prayers:
Father: O Lord, open my lips.
All: And my mouth shall proclaim Your praise.
Father: O God, come to my assistance.
All: O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia.
Father: Our Lord and King is drawing near, O come, let us adore Him.
All: Our Lord and King is drawing near, O come, let us adore Him.
Eldest Child: Rejoice, O you daughter of Sion and exult fully, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, the Lord and Master comes, and there shall be a brilliant light in that day, and the mountains shall drop down sweetness, and hills flow with milk and honey, for in that day the Great Prophet will come, and He Himself will renew Jerusalem.
All: Our Lord and King is drawing near, O come, let us adore Him.
Eldest Child: Behold, the God-man of the house of David will come to sit upon the royal throne, and you will see Him and your heart will rejoice.
All: O come, let us adore Him.
Eldest Child: Behold, the Lord our Protector will come to save us, Israel's holy One, wearing the crown of royalty on His noble brow and He will exercise His rule from sea to shining sea, and from the waters of the river to the ends of the earth.
All: O come, let us adore Him.
Eldest Child: Behold, the Lord and King will appear, and He will not deceive; but if He should delay, wait for Him to come; He will surely come and will not tarry.
All: O come, let us adore Him.
Eldest Child: The Lord will come down like rain upon the fleece of Gideon; justice will thrive and an abundance of true peace; all the kings of the lands of the earth will adore Him, and every nation will serve Him.
All: O come, let us adore Him.
Eldest Child: A Child will be born to us, and He will be called God the almighty; He will sit upon the royal throne of David His father, and He will hold sway, the sign of His power on His shoulder.
All: O come, let us adore Him.
Eldest Child: Bethlehem, city of the Most High God, from you will come forth the King of Israel, and He will proceed forth from His eternity; and He will be greatly praised in the midst of the entire universe; and there will be peace in our land when He will have come.
All: Our Lord and King is drawing near, O come, let us adore Him.
(On the Eve of Christmas add:)
Eldest Child: Tomorrow the wickedness of the whole world will be destroyed, and over us will reign the Savior of the world. All: Our Lord and King is drawing near, O come, let us adore Him.
Eldest Child: Near at last is Christ our King. All: O come, let us adore Him.
Let the Heavens Be Glad
All:Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, for the day of the Lord is nigh: behold, He will come to save us, alleluia, alleluia!
The following prayer can be said all together, or each phrase recited alternately.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice. O all you mountains, praise the Lord.
Let the mountains break forth into gladness, and the hills with justice.
For the Lord shall come and to the poor He shall show mercy.
Drop down dew, you heavens, from above and let the clouds rain the Just One;
Let the earth be opened and bud forth the Savior.
Be mindful of us, O Lord, and visit us in Your salvation.
Show to us, O Lord, Your mercy, and grant us your salvation.
Come, O Lord, in peace visit us that with a perfect heart we may rejoice before You.
Come, O Lord, do not tarry; do away with the offenses of Your people.
Come and show to us Your countenance, O Lord. You sit upon the cherubim.
Father: Glory to the Father and the Son and to the Holy Spirit. All: As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.
All: Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, for the day of the Lord is nigh: behold, He will come to save us, alleluia, alleluia!
Scripture Reading
December 16: Genesis 3:1-15; Romans 1:18-26
December 17: Genesis 3:14-20; Romans 5:12-21
December 18: Genesis 17:15-23; Romans 4:13-23
December 19: Deuteronomy 15:13-20; Acts 3:18-26
December 20: Isaiah 28:14-20; Romans 10:5-11
December 21: 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Luke 1:26-39
December 22: Deuteronomy 7:6-21; Ephesians 2:12-22
December 23: Isaiah 7:10-16; Matthew 1:18-25
December 24: Micah 5:1-5; Luke 2:1-8
All: Thanks be to God.
Leader: Drop down dew from above, O you heavens, and let the clouds rain the Just One.
Daily Antiphons for the Magnificat
16. Behold, the King will come, the Lord of the earth, and He will remove from us the yoke of our captivity.
17. O Wisdom, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly, Come, and teach us the way of prudence.
18. O Lord and Ruler of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with outstretched arm.
19. O Root of Jesse, who stands for an ensign of the people, before whom kinds shall keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: Come to deliver us, and tarry not.
20. O Key of David, and Sceptre of the House of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens: Come and bring forth the captive from his prison, he who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death.
21. O King of the Gentiles and their desired One, the Cornerstone that makes both one: Come, and deliver man, whom You formed out the dust of the earth.
22. O King of the Gentiles and their desired One, the Cornerstone that makes both one: Come, and deliver man, whom You formed out of the dust of the earth.
23. O Emmanuel, God with us, our King and Lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Savior: Come to save us, O Lord our God.
24. With the rising of the sun, you will soon see the King of kings and Lord of lords, coming forth from His Father, as the bridegroom, from His bridal chamber.
Magnificat
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.
He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.
He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, And has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.
He come to the help of his servant Israel for He has remembered His promise of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen. (All: Repeat the Antiphon for the Day)
Closing Prayer:
Father: O Lord, hear my prayer. All: And let my cry come to You.
Father: Let us pray: Hasten, we beseech You, O Lord; do not delay; grant us the help of supernatural virtue, so that Your coming will be a consolation to those who hope in Your mercy. You who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God world without end. All: Amen.
Father: Let us bless the Lord. All: And give Him thanks.
Father: May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. All: Amen.
Taken from Living and Celebrating The Advent-Christmas Seasons © 1982 by the Daughters of St. Paul, and The Twelve Days of Christmas by Elsa Chaney, © 1955 The Liturgical Press.
bttt
Thanks.
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