The Christmas Anticipation Prayer aka St. Andrew Novena

The St. Andrew Novena is also known as the Christmas Anticipation Prayer. It is popularly known by the saint's name because it begins on his feast day which is November 30th. The devotion, the origin of which is not exactly known, is to pray the prayer fifteen times each day from the Feast of St. Andrew through Christmas Eve in order to prepare your heart for receiving the Child Jesus in His Nativity.

Wait. Before you think to yourself, "I cannot pray something 15 times per day!", keep reading. I have some tips to help make it easier.

Why Pray this Prayer?

It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations during Advent. This beautiful prayer reminds us of the purpose of Advent which is to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit in order that they might be readied for celebrating the first coming of Jesus in Bethlehem and to be prepared for His second coming at the end of time or at end of our time here on earth.

Tips for Praying the Prayer

It might seem a challenge to pray a prayer fifteen times a day. And, it certainly can be. Here is what has helped me. First, I remember that the prayer is short. (But, it is powerful if you meditate on the words.) Second, I pray it in groups of five prayers, three times a day. My goal is to do it in the morning, around noon, and in the evening. Third, I have started to use the following phone wallpaper to help me to remember to pray it and to have the prayer easily available. Just download the image by clicking on the button below and add it as your wallpaper to help you pray this holy prayer.

And, use your phone's calendar to set a reminder for you to pray the prayer. Just set up a reminder three times per day throughout Advent. You will find it does not take long to pray the prayers.

The Prayer

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.