In preparation for Christmas, in the midst of the business of the season, perhaps it would be helpful to carve out some time each day to pray the following novena prayer. It begins this Monday, December 16th and concludes on Tuesday, December 24th (Christmas Eve).
December 16: O Shepherd who rules Israel, You who lead Joseph like a sheep, come to guide and comfort us. Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.
December 17: O Wisdom that comes out of the mouth of the Most High, that reaches from one end to another, and orders all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence! Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.
December 18: O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who did appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gave him the law in Sinai, come to redeem us with an outstretched arm! Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.
December 19: O Root of Jesse, which stands for an ensign of the people, at Whom the kings fall silent, Whom the Gentiles shall seek, come to deliver us, do not delay. Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.
December 20: O Key of David, and Scepter of the house of Israel, that opens and no man shuts, and shuts and no man opens, come to liberate those imprisoned by sin, and those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.
December 21: O Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting light, Son of justice, come to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death! Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.
December 22: O King of the Gentiles, and desire thereof! O Corner-stone, that makes of two one, come to save man, whom You have made out of the dust of the earth! Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.
December 23: O Emmanuel, our King and our Law-giver, Longing of the Gentiles, and salvation thereof, come to save us, O Lord our God! Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.
December 24: O You who sit upon the cherubim, God of hosts, come, show Your Face, and we shall be saved. Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Fr. Wayne