Christmas Preparation
Christmas Novena II
Quick answer
At a glance
Prayer source
Fallback devotional compilation
Fisheaters devotional index presentation of a Christmas devotional sequence built around the O Antiphons (December 17-23), extended here with related invocations for December 16 and December 24. Web witness for this wording: https://www.fisheaters.com/novenas.html#christmas2. Exact pre-1962 English wording has not been verified in a printed edition. Editorial presentation: the existing one-set direction is retained once after each proper day; a redundant second copy of that direction has been removed. All nine proper day invocations are unchanged.
Read the source standards- What it is
- A short Advent devotional sequence prayed from December 16 through December 24, drawing especially on the great O Antiphons and related scriptural invocations in immediate preparation for Christmas.
- Often prayed for
- Immediate preparation for Christmas in union with the Church's longing for the coming of Christ.
- Suggested start
- December 16, 2026. You may also begin this novena at any time.
- Length
- 9 days
- Feast
- December 25
Pray This Novena
Start with day 1
Begin the novena now, move one day at a time, and come back here whenever you are ready for the next day.
Your prayer progress and private intention stay only on this device unless you clear them. How to pray a novena.
About This Novena
This short Christmas devotion reflects the older habit of preparing directly for the Nativity during the final days of Advent. Most of its daily invocations come from the Church's ancient O Antiphons, while the first and last day use related biblical appeals so that the sequence can be prayed across nine days with a spirit of longing, readiness, and reverence as Christmas approaches.
Traditionally prayed for
Often prayed for immediate preparation for Christmas, Advent longing, and hope for Christ’s coming.
Usual timing
December 16 through December 24
Private intention
This stays only on this device and appears at the intention moment in the prayer.
Pray Day 1 of 9
December 16: O Shepherd of Israel
Not marked complete yet.
Tap any day to jump straight to it. Blue days are already marked complete on this device.
Today's Advent invocation
O Shepherd that rulest Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep, come to guide and comfort us.
Pause here for your intention.
Prayer sequence
Pray this prayer each day, following this edition's directions.
Daily conclusion
Repeated prayer cue
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be after the prayer for each day.
Review your day checklist
Day checklist
Check off each day as you pray
0 of 9
Tap each day after you pray it. Your checklist stays on this device.
About this devotion
Which edition is shown here?
A short Advent devotional sequence prayed from December 16 through December 24, drawing especially on the great O Antiphons and related scriptural invocations in immediate preparation for Christmas.
Tools, privacy, and reminders
Prayer progress and local tools stay on this device unless you clear them.
About this novena
Description
This short Christmas devotion reflects the older habit of preparing directly for the Nativity during the final days of Advent. Most of its daily invocations come from the Church's ancient O Antiphons, while the first and last day use related biblical appeals so that the sequence can be prayed across nine days with a spirit of longing, readiness, and reverence as Christmas approaches.
Traditionally invoked as patron of
immediate preparation for Christmas, Advent longing, hope for Christ’s coming
Traditionally prayed for
Often prayed for immediate preparation for Christmas, Advent longing, and hope for Christ’s coming.
Usual timing
December 16 through December 24
The Nativity, Federico Barocci, Museo del Prado