St. Andrew ~ Christmas Novena

St. Andrew’s feast, November 30, traditionally marks the end of the Church year and beginning of Advent. Advent always begins on the Sunday closest to November 30, with this day being the last possible day of the old Liturgical Year. 

St. Andrew’s Day also marks the beginning of a special Christmas devotion which carries special graces for those who keep it with faith. Traditionally, the following prayer is recited 15 times each day until Christmas.

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment In which the Son of God was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.

Imprimatur +MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York, New York, February 6, 1897

I’ve created a new prayer card printable for the Christmas Novena. You are welcome to print and share, freely. (See the link below.)

May this meditative prayer help us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for His coming.

My husband and I include private intentions for each child and family intention(s) that we all come up with for the Advent season. Our family intention may include prayers for the country, Church, poor, or whatever else may be on our hearts. The Novena is one of our most beloved devotions that helps us draw deeper into the Advent Season, “mini Lent.’

You can also print a full sheet of the Christmas Novena from the link above. Use the numbered boxes to keep track of your place in the Christmas Novena.

To be said 15 times a day for 25 days beginning on the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle (Nov 30th) until the Eve of Christmas (Dec 24th). It is piously believed that whoever recites this novena prayer 15 times a day for 25 days will obtain what is asked. The novena is not addressed to Saint Andrew but to God Himself, asking Him to grant our request in honor of the birth of His Son at Christmas. It is also known as the Christmas Anticipation Novena.