Christmas novena

Prayed from December 16 to December 24, ending the day before its feast (Nativity of the Lord, December 25).

Day 1

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire. This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register.
Luke 2:1–3 · BSB

The road to Bethlehem begins with an order from Rome. Caesar Augustus wants a count of everyone in his empire, probably for taxes, and far away in Galilee a carpenter and the young woman pledged to him, now pregnant, have to pack. Nobody in the imperial offices knows their names. Yet the decree sends them to the town the prophets had named. God does not need the powerful to cooperate. He works quietly through schedules, paperwork and inconvenient journeys, including ours this week.

Lord of history, you were at work in the emperor's decree and in a carpenter's packing. As these busy days begin, help me see your hand in errands and obligations, and give me a quiet heart on the way to Christmas. Amen.

Intention: For families travelling this week to be together for Christmas.

Day 2

So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.
Luke 2:4–5 · BSB

Joseph goes up from Nazareth to Bethlehem, Luke says, because he belongs to the house of David, and Mary goes with him. The journey was around 150 kilometres, several days on foot through hills and valleys, with Mary close to giving birth. Luke tells us nothing about the road. We can imagine the early starts, the sore feet, the nights in borrowed corners. Holy things often happen on the way to somewhere else, while we are simply tired and keep going.

Jesus, before you were born you were already on the road, carried by Mary and guarded by Joseph. Walk with me through these days. When I am tired, remind me that the journey itself is leading me to you. Amen.

Intention: For pregnant women who are travelling or far from home.

Day 3

‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’”
Matthew 2:6 · BSB

When the wise men later ask where the Messiah is to be born, the scribes quote the prophet Micah: Bethlehem is by no means least, because a ruler will come from you. It was a small town about ten kilometres south of Jerusalem, known mainly as King David's birthplace. Joseph and Mary are heading for a place nobody important would choose. God keeps choosing small towns, ordinary people and humble beginnings. Whatever feels insignificant in your life is not too small for him to visit.

Lord, you chose Bethlehem, not Rome or Jerusalem. Come to the small places of my life: my kitchen, my work, my worries. Make my heart a Bethlehem, unimportant to the world but ready for you. Amen.

Intention: For the small towns and villages that the world has forgotten.

Day 4

A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain.
Isaiah 40:3–4 · BSB

Isaiah imagines a highway built through the wilderness for God: valleys lifted, mountains brought low, rough ground made smooth. The roads of Joseph and Mary's day were nothing like that. They climbed and dropped, washed out in the winter rains, and slowed every traveller down. The prophet is speaking of another road, the one into the human heart. These days before Christmas are a chance to fill in a valley of neglect, or level a mountain of pride, so he can find a way in.

Lord, you know the obstacles in me better than I do. Show me one I can clear away this week: a grudge, a habit, a phone call I have been avoiding. Make the road straight, so you can come to me without delay. Amen.

Intention: For the courage to make peace with someone before Christmas.

Day 5

But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:20–21 · BSB

Joseph walks beside Mary because, months earlier, he chose to trust a dream. He had planned to end the engagement quietly, and an angel told him not to be afraid to take Mary home, for the child was from the Holy Spirit. Matthew never records a single word Joseph said. He simply did what was asked: he got up, took her into his home, and now walks with her towards Bethlehem, where he will name the child Jesus. Trust is often silent, and it shows on the road.

Saint Joseph, quiet and faithful, pray for fathers and for all who look after others. Lord, when I cannot see the whole plan, give me enough trust to take the next step, and the strength to carry what you have entrusted to me. Amen.

Intention: For fathers, and for all who protect and provide for others.

Day 6

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.
Psalm 121:1–3 · BSB

Pilgrims going up to Jerusalem sang this psalm on the road: I lift my eyes to the hills; my help comes from the Lord, who will not let your foot slip. The route south from Galilee ran through hills just like those, with steep paths and few places to rest. Mary and Joseph, devout Jews, may well have known these words by heart. Whatever road you are on today, the same Keeper watches over it. He does not doze, and he does not lose sight of you.

Lord, my help comes from you. Guard my going out and my coming in, as you guarded Mary and Joseph on the hills of Judea. Watch over everyone on the roads tonight, and bring them safely home. Amen.

Intention: For everyone travelling by road, sea or air in these days.

Day 7

So Naomi and Ruth traveled until they came to Bethlehem. When they entered Bethlehem, the whole city was stirred because of them, and the women of the city exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”
Ruth 1:19 · BSB

Long before Mary and Joseph, two other weary travellers walked into Bethlehem: Naomi, widowed and bitter, and Ruth, the foreigner who refused to leave her. The whole town was stirred by their arrival. From Ruth came Obed, then Jesse, then David and, many generations later, Joseph. As the Holy Family nears Bethlehem, they walk into a story God had been writing for a thousand years, full of grief, loyalty and outsiders. Our family histories, wounds and all, can become part of his.

God of every generation, you wove widows, foreigners and sinners into the family of Jesus. Bless my family as it is, with its losses and its quarrels. Bring us together this Christmas, and heal what we cannot heal ourselves. Amen.

Intention: For families who will feel an empty chair at the table this Christmas.

Day 8

While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born. And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:6–7 · BSB

While they were there, the time came. Luke tells it in two sentences: Mary gave birth to her son, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them where travellers stayed. Perhaps the house was full; perhaps the animals' corner was all that was left. Either way, the first bed of the Son of God was a feeding trough. Christmas is very close now. Today we ask where in our lives there is still no room for him.

Jesus, a manger was enough for you. Come into whatever space I have, however poor or untidy. Make room in me for you, and in my home for anyone who has nowhere else to go this Christmas. Amen.

Intention: For the homeless, and for all who have no place to stay this Christmas.

Day 9

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!
Luke 2:10–11 · BSB

The road is over. In the fields outside Bethlehem, shepherds keeping watch at night hear an angel tell them not to be afraid: he brings good news of great joy for all the people, for today a Saviour is born. The first to hear were not priests or kings but working men on a cold night shift. Tonight we end this novena where they ended up, at the manger, grateful for these nine days and for the Child who came all this way for us.

Thank you, Lord, for bringing me to Bethlehem. Thank you for Mary and Joseph, for the shepherds, and for every grace of these nine days. Be born again in my home tonight, and let your joy reach everyone I love. Amen.

Intention: In gratitude for this novena and for the birth of Jesus.

Novenas

The reflections, prayers and intentions are our own, written for Verso and reviewed. Bible quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), in the public domain. How we write.