Novena. in Preparation for Christmas by Benet A. Fonck OFM (Permission to reprint is granted as long as this notice is included.

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1 in Preparation for Christmas (Permission to reprint is granted as long as this notice is included.)

Novena December 16 (after Evening Prayer): Come, the Peace of God! O mighty God and Prince of Peace, bearer of peace for all your people: Come, let us rejoice before you with a perfect heart.

2 Novena December 16 (after Evening Prayer): Come, the Peace of God! O mighty God and Prince of Peace, bearer of peace for all your people: Come, let us rejoice before you with a perfect heart. Lord Jesus Christ, who are called the Prince of Peace, who are yourself our peace and reconciliation, who so often said, "Peace to you," grant us peace. Make all men and women witnesses of truth, justice, and brotherly love. Banish from their hearts whatever might endanger peace. Enlighten our rulers that they may guarantee and defend the great gift of peace. May all peoples on the earth become as brothers and sisters. May longed-for peace blossom forth and reign always over us all. A child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulders dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-hero, Father-forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast, and forever peaceful, from David s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice both now and forever. (Is 9:5 Is 9:5-6) Lovers of your teaching have much peace; for them there is no stumbling block. (Ps 119:165) O God, whose will is justice for the poor and peace for the afflicted, let your herald s urgent voice pierce our hardened hearts and announce the dawn of your kingdom. Before the advent of the one who baptizes with the fire of the Holy Spirit, let our complacency give way to conversion, oppression to justice, and conflict to acceptance of one another in Christ. This we ask through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: Christ Jesus, God-with-us, the Word-made-flesh, the meaning and the model for our peace, who lives and reigns both on the earth and in the heavens, both now and forever. (adapted from Prayer of II Advent) Alleluia! Come, God of Might and Prince of Peace: Let us rejoice and welcome you with a perfect heart! Alleluia! ALL SING: O Come, O mighty Prince of Peace, Who mandates all divisions cease. Show us the way to harmony; Let justice conquer tyranny.

Novena December 17: Come, the Wisdom of God! O Wisdom, O holy word of God, you govern all creation with your strong and tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.

Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion, and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity.

3 Novena December 17: Come, the Wisdom of God! O Wisdom, O holy word of God, you govern all creation with your strong and tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation. O Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most High and, reaching from beginning to end, you ordered all things mightily and sweetly. Come, and teach us the way of prudence. Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion, and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity. Wisdom is an aura of the might of God and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty; therefore naught that is sullied enters into her. Wisdom is the refulgence of eternal light, the spotless mirror of the power of God, the image of his goodness. And Wisdom, who is one, can do all things, and renews everything while herself perduring; And passing into holy souls from age to age, she produces friends of God and prophets. For there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom. (Wis 7:24-28) Teach me wisdom and knowledge, for in your commands I trust. My soul longs for your salvation; I put my hope in your word. (Ps 119, 66,81) Lord Jesus Christ, Wisdom of the Father, you are the brightness of the Father s glory, the image of the one that begot you; you appeared in our human flesh and enlightened our soul by the light of your life-giving gospel. We praise and worship and glorify you at all times. With your sacred wisdom make us wise, O Lord, and grant that we may serve you by keeping your vivifying and divine commandments, entirely and always. This we ask of you, Christ Jesus, God-with-us, the Word-made-flesh, our wisdom and our salvation, who live and reign both on the earth and in the heavens, both now and forever. (adapted from the Malabarese Rite) Alleluia! Come, Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: Teach us to walk in the paths of knowledge. Alleluia! ALL SING: O Come, O Wisdom from on high, Who orders all things mightily; To us the path of knowledge show, And teach us in her way to go.

O Adonai and Ruler of the House of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and on Mount Sinai gave him your law. Come, and with outstretched arm redeem us.

4 Novena December 18: Come, God s Law of Love! O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai Mountain: Come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free. O Adonai and Ruler of the House of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and on Mount Sinai gave him your law. Come, and with outstretched arm redeem us. When the fullness of time had come,, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. As proof that you are children God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, Abba, Father! So you are no longer slaves but children, and, if a child, then also an heir, through God. (Gal 4:4-7) Make us understand the way of your precepts; We will ponder your wondrous deeds. (Ps 119:27) Divine and eternal Word, who descended from the Father into the heart of the ever Virgin Mary, your love for humankind leads you to Bethlehem where you are born at midnight in a poor and humble stable. In truth, thousands of angels accompany you on this journey, and yet we, whom you came to save and lead to that Bethlehem of eternal joy, stubbornly turn away from you. Forgive us, God and Lord of the universe, and help us to walk alongside Mary and Joseph, thus giving us the courage to fight against and triumph over every adversity and to embrace wholeheartedly your law of love. This we ask of you, Christ Jesus, God-with-us, the Wordmade-flesh, our provider and our pattern for a life of loving, who live and reign both on the earth and in the heaven, both now and forever. (adapted from the Las Posadas Prayer) Alleluia. Come, Leader of Ancient Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: rescue us with your mighty power! Alleluia! ALL SING: O Come, O come, great Lord of might, Who to your tribes on Sinai s height In ancient times once gave the law, In cloud and majesty and awe.

December 19: Come, the Salvation of God! O Flower of Jesse s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you.

Come, save us, and do not delay. On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.

5 December 19: Come, the Salvation of God! O Flower of Jesse s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid. O Root of Jesse, you stand as a sign for the peoples; before you kings shall keep silence and to you all nations shall have recourse. Come, save us, and do not delay. On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord. L Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, but he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land s afflicted. On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious. (Is 11:1-4,10) Keep your hand ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, Lord; your teaching is my delight. (Ps 119: ) In the psalms of David, in the words of the prophets, in the dream of Joseph, your promise of salvation is spoken, eternal God, and takes flesh at last in the womb of the Virgin Mary. May Emmanuel find welcome in our hearts, take flesh in our lives, and be for all peoples the welcome advent of redemption and grace. This we ask through the same Christ Jesus, God-with-us, the Word-made-flesh, whose coming is certain and whose Day draws near our redeemer, our rescuer, our restorer who lives and reigns both on the earth and in the heavens, both now and forever. (adapted from Prayer for IV Advent) Alleluia! Come, Flower of Jesse s stem, sign of God s love for all his people: save us without delay! Alleluia! ALL SING: O Come, O rod of Jesse s stem, From every foe deliver them That trust your mighty power to save, And give them vict ry o er the grave.

O Key of David and Scepter of the House of Israel; you open and no one closes; you close and no one opens.

6 December 20: Come, the Freedom of God! O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at will the gate of death of heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death and lead your captive people into freedom. O Key of David and Scepter of the House of Israel; you open and no one closes; you close and no one opens. Come, and deliver from the chains of prison those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God. He comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lamb leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing. Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return and meet with joy and gladness; sorrow and mourning will flee. (Is 35:4-6,10) I rejoice at your promise, as one who has found rich spoil. Let my prayer come before you; rescue me according to your promise. (Ps 119:162,170) Blessed are you, God and Father of Jesus, for you give us your Son the Lord of the universe, the Key to all freedom, and the Savior of all peoples as an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. In the first moments of his life on earth you showed us the paradoxes of your love: weakness leads to strength, surrender brings us freedom, poverty reveals to us your riches. Open us up to the mystery of his powerlessness and enable us to recognize him in the plain-spoken word and simple meal celebrated in the Eucharist and lived in daily life. This we ask through Christ Jesus, God-with-us, the Word-made-flesh, the way to liberation and life, who lives and reigns both on the earth and in the heavens, both now and forever. (adapted from a contemporary prayer for Midnight Mass) Alleluia! Come, Key of David, opening the gates of God s eternal Kingdom: free the prisoners of darkness! Alleluia! ALL SING: O Come, O Key of David, come. And open wide our heav nly home; Make safe the ways that lead on high, And close the path to misery.

You know the time; it i t is the hour now for you to wake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand.

7 December 21: Come, the Light of God! O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: Come, shine on those who dwell in doom and deadly shadows. O Rising Dawn, Radiance of the Light eternal and Sun of Justice: come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. You know the time; it i t is the hour now for you to wake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh. (Rom 13:11-14) Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path. The revelation of your words sheds light, giving understanding to the simple. (Ps 119:105,130) Father in heaven, the day draws near when the glory of your Son will make radiant the night of the waiting world. May the lure of greed not impede us from the joy which moves the hearts of those who seek him. May the darkness not blind us to the visions of wisdom which wills the minds of those who find him. This we ask through the same Christ Jesus, God-with-us, the Word-made-flesh, -- the fountain of life in whose light we see light who lives a reigns both on the earth and in the heavens, both now and forever. (adapted from the Roman Rite) Alleluia! Come, Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: shine on those lost in the darkness of death! Alleluia! ALL SING: O Come, O Dayspring from on high And cheer us by your drawing nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death s dark shadow put to flight

December 22: Come, the Delight of our Lives!

O King of the Gentiles and the Desired of all, you are the cornerstone that binds two into one. Come, and save us whom you fashioned out of clay.

like a bride bedecked with her jewels. As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, so will the Lord God make justice and praise spring up before all the nations.

8 December 22: Come, the Delight of our Lives! O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of humankind: Come and save the creatures you formed from the dust. O King of the Gentiles and the Desired of all, you are the cornerstone that binds two into one. Come, and save us whom you fashioned out of clay. I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul; for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation ation and wrapped me in a mantle of justice, like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem, like a bride bedecked with her jewels. As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, so will the Lord God make justice and praise spring up before all the nations. (Is 61:10-11) Lead me in the path of your commands, for that is my delight. I delight in your commands, which I dearly love. (Ps 119:35,47) O eternal God, the beginning and end, you who sustain all things, understand all things, who existed before all things, and who are without end, be with us, remain among us; strengthen our intentions, sanctify our souls, and eradicate in us all that is evil. Enable us to make a good sacrifice and pour out your abundant blessings, and so enable us to enter into the holy of holies wherein dwells your presence. This we ask through Christ Jesus, God-with-us, the Word-madeflesh our delight, our desire, and our destiny who lives and reigns both on the earth and in the heavens, both now and forever. (adapted from the Ethiopian Liturgy) Alleluia! Come, King of all nations, source of the Church s unity and faith: save the whole human race, your own creation! Alleluia! ALL SING: O Come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of humankind; O bid our sad divisions cease, And be for us the King of Peace.

The Lord himself will give you this sign: The virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.

9 December 23: Come, O God-with with-us O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, Come and set us free, Lord our God. O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, you are the Expected of the nations and their Savior. Come, and save us, O Lord our God. The Lord himself will give you this sign: The virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. On that day, you will say: I give g you thanks, O Lord; though you have been angry with me, your anger has abated, and you have consoled me. God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage c is the Lord, and he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation, and say on that day: Give thanks to the Lord, acclaim his name; among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name. Sing praise to the Lord for his glorious achievement; let this be known throughout all the earth. Shout with exultation, O city of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. (Is 7:14;12:1-6) Let your love come to me, Lord, salvation in accord with your promise. Hear my voice in your love, O Lord; by your edict give me life. (Ps 119:41,149) Lord Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, we do not pray that your birth according to the flesh shall be renewed as it once occurred upon this day. Rather do we pray that your invisible Godhead may be grafted into us. May that which was then accorded after the flesh to Mary alone now be granted in the spirit to the Church: that faith unquestioning may conceive you, the spirit free of all corruption may bear you, the soul overshadowed by the power of the Most High may quicken with you evermore. Go not forth from us; spring forth rather from within us. This we ask of you, Christ Jesus, God-with-us, the Word-made-flesh, the fullness of deity in bodily form, who live a reign both on the earth and in the heavens, both now and forever. (adapted from the Mozarabic Rite) Alleluia! Come, Emmanuel, God s presence among us, our King, our Judge: save us, Lord our God! Alleluia!

Novena December 24 (before First Vespers for Christmas): Come, Son of God, Word-made made-flesh O Word made flesh, dwelling among us, filled with grace and truth, Come! Do not delay!

In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son, whom he made heirs of all things and through whom

10 Novena December 24 (before First Vespers for Christmas): Come, Son of God, Word-made made-flesh O Word made flesh, dwelling among us, filled with grace and truth, Come! Do not delay! Fill us with courage and trust, hope and love! Come quickly, Lord Jesus, that those who trust in your compassion may find solace and relief in your coming. In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son, whom he made heirs of all things and through whom he created the universe, He is the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being, and he sustains all things by his mighty word. (Heb 1:1-3) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. In him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. In him dwells the whole fullness of the deity bodily, and you share in this fullness in him, who is s the head of every principality and power. (Col 1:15-16,17;2:9-10) My eyes long to see your salvation and the justice of your promise. My eyes long to see your promise. When will you comfort me? (Ps 119:123,82) Wonderful the dignity you bestowed, O God, on human nature when you created it; more wonderful still its condition when you recreated it. Grant, we pray, that as Jesus Christ, your Son, stooped to share our human nature, so we may share the lot of his divine nature. This we ask through that same Christ Jesus, your Son, our Lord God-with-us, the Word-made-flesh who has shared one life and kingly power with you and the Holy Spirit and who lives and reigns both on the earth and in the heavens, both now and forever. (adapted from the 6 th century Leonine Sacramentary) Alleluia! Come, Lord Jesus, Word-made flesh, do not delay! give new courage to your people who trust in your love! Alleluia! ALL SING: O come, Christ Jesus, Son of God! Be with us where our feet now trod. All things on earth with one accord Like those in heav n, shall call you Lord.

O Antiphons of Advent

GRADES 5-8 O Antiphons of Advent INTRODUCTION The O Antiphons are sung on the last seven days of Advent. Each antiphon, or short refrain, begins with the word O. Each one also calls Jesus, the Son of God,