A novena in preparation for Christmas

This traditional novena recalls the expectations of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the birth of Christ was approaching. It features a mix of scripture verses, prayers, and the Marian antiphon "Alma Redemptoris Mater" ("Loving Mother of our Savior").

Started on December 16th, this novena will end on Christmas Eve, making it the perfect way for us, individually or as a family, to begin our final preparations for Christmas. The novena could be combined with the illumination of the Advent wreath or with the readings from the Advent scriptures.

“Drop the dew from above, heavens, and let the clouds rain the Just One! Let the earth open and a Savior sprout! " (Isaiah 48: 8).
O Lord, how wonderful you are all over the world! You have made a worthy home for yourself in Mary!
Glory is
"Behold, a Virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and her name will be called Emmanuel" (Isaiah 7:14).
“Do not be afraid, Mary, because you have found grace with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and you will generate a Son; and you will call his name Jesus ”(Luke 1:30).
Ave Maria
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and therefore the Saint who will be born will be called the Son of God. But Mary said: 'Here is the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word "" (Luke 1:35).
Ave Maria
Holy and immaculate Virgin, how should I praise you as I should? You carried it in your womb, which heaven could not contain. You are blessed and worthy of veneration, Virgin Mary, because you have become the Mother of the Savior while remaining a Virgin.
Ave Maria
Maria speaks:
"I sleep and my heart watches ... I to my Beloved, and my Beloved to me, which feeds on the lilies" (Song of Songs 6: 2).
Let's pray.
Grant to you, Almighty God, that we who are weighed down by the old yoke of sin, can be freed from the new birth of your only-begotten Son for whom we yearn. Who lives and reigns forever. Amen.
HYMN: "Alma Redemptoris Mater"

Mother of Christ,
listen to your people cry,
deep star
and portal to heaven.
Mother of Him of
who did your glory,
sinking, we fight
and we ask you for help.
Oh, for that joy
that Gabriel did;
O Virgin first and last, the
your tender show of mercy.
Let's pray.
O God, you wanted your Word to take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the message of an angel; grant us, your humble servants, that we who truly believe that she is the Mother of God, can be helped by her intercession with you. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.