Novena for Advent
Day 1 - December 16: Jesus, Wisdom of God
Bible Verse: “After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers”. (Lk 2:46-47)
Prayer: O Wisdom, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily: Come and teach us the way of prudence. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen.
Day 2 - December 17: Jesus, Lord and Ruler of All
Bible Verse: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before me”. (Ex 20: 2-3)
Prayer: O Lord and ruler of the nations, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave him the law on Mount Sinai: Come and redeem us with our outstretched arm. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen.
Day 3 - December 18: Jesus, Root of Jesse
Bible Verse: “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, a branch that shall grow from its roots. And the Spirit of the Lord shall be upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” (Is 11:1-3)
Prayer: O Root of Jesse, the long awaited saviour of the Chosen People, before whom kings shall kneel and all shall ask for mercy: Come, make haste and deliver your people. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen.
Day 4 - December 19: Jesus, Key of David
Bible Verse: “And I will place on his shoulder the key of the House of David; he shall open and none shall shut; and he shall shut and none shall open. And he will become a throne of honour to his father’s house”. (Is 22:22)
Prayer: O Key of David whose life unlocks for us the promise of eternal life: Come and liberate us, free us from the darkness of sin and the shadow of death. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen.
Novena for Advent
Day 5 - December 20: Jesus, Dawn of the East
Bible Verse: “In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the east to the west and there is nothing hid from its heat.” (Ps 19:5-7)
Prayer: O Dawn of the East, brightness of the light eternal and Sun of Justice: Come and awaken within us compassion for all who are in need. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen.
Day 6 - December 21: Jesus, King of the Gentiles
Bible Verse: “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.” (Eph. 2:19-20)
Prayer: O King of Gentiles, the cornerstone that makes all believers one in the household of God: Come and deliver your sons and daughters, whom you have formed from the dust of the earth into the eternal image of God. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen.
Day 7 - December 22: Jesus, Emmanuel
Bible Verse: “Therefore the Lord will give you a sign. Behold, a maiden shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emmanuel.” (Isa 7:14)
Prayer: O Emmanuel, God with us, the long awaited saviour: Come and save us, give us once more the joy of your compassion and mercy. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen.
Novena for Advent
.Day 8 - December 23: Jesus, Son of the Most High
Bible Verse: “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Lk 1:32-33)
Prayer: Jesus, Son of the Most High, your birth is the fulfilment of the promises made long ago: Come and empower us to be faithful to our baptismal promises. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen.
Day 9 - December 24: Jesus, Son of God
Bible Verse: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God” (Lk 1:35)
Prayer: Jesus, Son of God, you bring healing to those who cry out to you in faith, Come and restore your people that we might shine once more in the glory of your name. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen.
An Advent Prayer for the Family
Heavenly Father, your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us, a great sign of your love. Guide us as we strive to walk in that love together as a family this Advent. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, bring us closer to each other and to your son. Give us the grace and strength we need every day. Help us to always trust in you. Come, Lord Jesus, lead all people closer to you. Come and dispel the darkness of our world with the light of your love. Amen.