I realize I am tardy with this information and I do apologize. However, I would like to share this Novena with all of you, reminding us of the mystery and wonder of the Incarnation.
The Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle was on November 30th. He was the first Apostle and the brother of St. Peter. It was St. Andrew who introduced St. Peter to Our Lord Jesus Christ, spread the Gospel and died a Martyr for Our Lord. This Feast marked the end of the Liturgical year and the beginning of the new Liturgical year last Sunday, the First Sunday of Advent.
There are different celebrations with regard to St. Andrew, especially in Russia and Scotland where St. Andrew is their patron saint. Another tradition is this Christmas Novena prayer, which helps us prepare for the coming of Our Lord at Christmas. Here is the prayer:
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 through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.
This prayer is said 15 times a day, and helps us orient ourselves and meditate upon the Incarnation of Our Lord Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son. . .”
May you have a blessed and meaningful Advent Season.
Joan
