+++++++++Preparatory Novena for Christmas+++++++++

PRAYERS FOR A NOVENA FROM THE 16TH TO THE 24TH OF DECEMBER

V. O God, come unto my assistance!
R. O Lord, make haste to help me!

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done,
on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we
forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

I. Jesus, sweetest Child, Who didst come down from the bosom of the Father for our salvation, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Who didst not abhor the Virgin's womb, and Who, being the Word made flesh, didst take upon Thee the form of a servant, have mercy on us.

R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

II. Jesus, sweetest Child, Who by means of Thy Virgin Mother didst visit Saint Elizabeth, Who didst fill Thy forerunner, John the Baptist, with Thy Holy Spirit and didst sanctify him in his mother's womb, have mercy on us.

R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us.

Hail Mary, etc.

III. Jesus, sweetest Child, Who, enclosed for nine months in Thy Mother's womb, was looked for with eager expectation by the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, and was offered by God the Father for the salvation of the world, have mercy on us.

R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us.

Hail Mary, etc.

IV. Jesus, sweetest Child, born in Bethlehem of the Virgin Mary, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger, announced by Angels and visited by shepherds, have mercy on us.

R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us.

Hail Mary, etc.

All honor, laud, and glory be, O Jesus, Virgin-born, to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete. Amen.

V. Christ is near us;
R. Come, let us adore Him.

Our Father, etc.

V. Jesus, sweetest Child, wounded after eight days in Thy circumcision, called by the glorious Name of Jesus, and at once by Thy Name and by Thy Blood foreshown as the Saviour of the world, have mercy on us.

R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us.

Hail Mary, etc.

VI. Jesus, sweetest Child, manifested by the leading of a star to the three Wise Men, worshiped in the arms of Thy Mother, presented with the mystic gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, have mercy on us.

R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us.

Hail Mary, etc.

VII. Jesus, sweetest Child, presented in the temple by Thy Virgin Mother, taken up in Simeon's arms, and revealed to Israel by Anna, a prophetess, have mercy on us.

R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us.

Hail Mary, etc.

VIII. Jesus, sweetest Child, sought by wicked Herod to be slain, carried with Thy Mother into Egypt by Saint Joseph, rescued from the cruel slaughter, and glorified by the praises of the martyred Innocents, have mercy on us.

R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us.

Hail Mary, etc.

All honor, laud, and glory be, O Jesus, Virgin-born, to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete. Amen.

V. Christ is near us;
R. Come, let us worship.

Our Father, etc.

IX. Jesus, sweetest Child, Who didst dwell in Egypt with most holy Mary and the Patriarch, Saint Joseph until the death of Herod, have mercy on us.

R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us.

Hail Mary, etc.

X. Jesus, sweetest Child, Who didst return from Egypt to the land of Israel with Thy parents, suffering many hardships in the way, and didst enter into the city of Nazareth, have mercy on us.

R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us.

Hail Mary, etc.

XI. Jesus, sweetest Child, Who didst dwell most holily in the holy house at Nazareth, in subjection to Thy parents, wearied by poverty and toil, and didst increase in wisdom, age and grace, have mercy on us.

R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us.

Hail Mary, etc.

XII. Jesus, sweetest Child, brought to Jerusalem at twelve years of age, sought by Thy parents sorrowing and found with joy after three days in the midst of the Doctors, have mercy on us.

R. Have mercy on us, Child Jesus, have mercy on us.

Hail Mary, etc.

All honor, laud, and glory be, O Jesus, Virgin-born, to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete. Amen.

(For Christmas Day and its Octave):
 
V. The Word was made flesh, alleluia.
R. And dwelt amongst us, alleluia.

(For the Epiphany and its Octave):

V. Christ hath manifested Himself to us, alleluia.
R. O come and let us worship, alleluia.

(Throughout the year, for those who would like to make the novena outside of Advent and Christmas):

V. The Word was made flesh,
R. And dwelt amongst us.

Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, Lord of Heaven and earth, Who dost reveal Thyself to little ones; grant, we beseech Thee, that we, venerating with due honor the sacred mysteries of Thy Son, the Child Jesus, and copying them with due imitation, may be enabled to enter the kingdom of Heaven which Thou hast promised to little children. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly take part in the pious exercises of a public novena before the Feast of Christmas.