Advent and Christmas Ideas and Celebrations.....updated for 2012

I know if you are like me, we are always looking for new ideas to add to our family traditions each year. Sometimes an idea may light a spark that has been dimmed down by the weight of all the' need to do' lists of this time of year.
I am sharing here our own family celebrations over the years of blogging as well as any ideas, decorations or crafts we may have attempted as well, in the hope that they may a creative and inspiring read for anyone interested.

Of course our traditions have been built over may years and these blogging records are only a few years old.
However I pray they may be of interest and inspiration to you as you create and enjoy your own family traditions.

This is an updated version of my Super Duper Season Bumper addition  from last year. So while some of the ideas are the same I have added a heap of new celebrations to the list as well.

So grab a cup or coffee or Hot Chocolate or this one, pick up a pen and paper and look for what interests you.
Please enjoy!!

Looking Toward Advent

NOVENAS AND PRAYERS~
St Andrew Novena 30th November -24th December
Our Lady of Guadalupe  4th December - 12th December
Immaculate Conception Novena 29th November - 7th December
Christmas Rose Novena 12th December - 24th December
Christmas Novena 16th December - 24th December
Novena to the Magi in Anticipation of the Ephihany  28th December - 5th January

REFLECTIONS ON 2011 ~
First Sunday of Advent - Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Twas the Beginning of Advent
A Quick Advent Study
The Joy in Giving
A bed for Baby Jesus
2nd Sunday in Advent 2011
Recipe for Christmas Joy
Our St Nicholas Play
Las Posadas
4th Sunday in Advent 2011 -Look to Mary
Not Long Now
Ginger Bread House Making for 2011
Jessie Tree Pressure
Happy New Year

REFLECTIONS ON 2010~
The Children's Ideas for Celebrating in 2010
1st Sunday in Advent
2nd Sunday in Advent
3rd Sunday in Advent OR Gaudete Sunday
4th Sunday in Advent

SNIPPETS OF CHEER~
Are You Planning for Christmas Yet?
The Gift of The Magi- a story
Mary's Christmas Dream - a story
A Christmas Thought
Christmas Eve
Christmas Story
The Christmas Story
Merry Christmas
The Nativity
Favourite Christmas Nativity

REFLECTIONS ON 2009~
Advent Planning 2009
Home made Gift Ideas
Poor Box Toys - making do with little
Advent in our home 2009
1st Sunday in Advent

FEAST DAYS ~
Stir Up Sunday - First Sunday in Advent

6th - St Nicholas Day Celebrations 2011
        Our St Nicholas Play 2011
        St Nicholas 2010
        St Nicholas
        St Nicholas 2009

8th - Immaculate Conception Candle
        Immaculate Conception 2009

12th - Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe 2011
          Our Lady of Guadalupe 2010
          Plans and activities for Our Lady of Guadalupe
          Feast of Our lady of Guadalupe in our home 2009

13th - St Lucia Celebrations 2011
          St Lucia 2010
          St Lucia 2009

18th - 23rd - O Antiphons -Plans and how to make a countdown box

24th Christmas Eve 2011
        Christmas Eve and the Midnight Feast
        Christmas Eve 2009

25th  Christmas Day Celebrations 2011
         Christmas Day 2010 (also the 1st day of Christmas)
         Christmas Day 2009

NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS~
Celebrations for 2012
Happy New Year 2012
Happy New Year 2011
Happy New Year 2010

The 12 Days of Christmas-
Symbols of Christmas
1st Day of Christmas - Christmas Day
2nd Day of Christmas
3rd Day of Christmas
4th Day of Christmas
5th Day of Christmas
6th Day of Christmas
7th Day of Christmas
8th Day of Christmas
9th Day of Christmas
10th Day of Christmas
11th Day of Christmas
12th Day of Christmas

6th January-Epiphany Celebrations 2012
                   Epiphany 2012
                   Epiphany 2011
                   Plans and Celebrations for Epiphany
                   Epiphany 2010
                   Feast of Epiphany Plans

CHRISTMAS COOKING~
Gingerbread House
Christmas Cookie List
Boiled Fruit Pudding
St Lucia Bread Recipe
Instant Hot Chocolate Mix
St Nicholas Hot Chocolate
Lebkuchen Biscuits
Christmas Icecream
Quick Cookies
5 min Chocolate Mug Cake - especially a great gift
Tim Tam Balls
Ginger Bread Men and Shortbread
Sugar Cookies
Coffee Chocolate Balls
Snowflake Cookies

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS BOOK LISTS~
I still have not added the ones for this year (2012) yet but will when I have posted them
Advent and Christmas Book Lists
Christmas and Advent Chapter Books
Advent and Christmas Book List 1
Advent and Christmas Book List 3
Countdown, Craft and Activity Advent and Christmas Books
Advent and Christmas books from 2009
Board Books

FAVOURITE TRADITIONS AND ODDS~
O Antiphons 
A Bed for Baby Jesus
Turning a chocolate Santa into a St Nicholas
Advent Spiral -  a countdown calender (homemade)
Homemade Nativity Scene - wooden
Advent Stocking Countdown - made from felt (homemade)
Making Jesse Tree Ornaments
Sculpy Nativity Set - (homemade)
Nativity Toy
Pot Pourri -,homemade

JESSE TREE IDEAS~
Making Jesse Tree Decorations
Jesse Tree and Prayer
Jesse Tree Pressure

OTHER IDEAS~
Child of the Promise - music
A great resource for some free cut out creches etc

PATRON SAINTS~
Patron Saints 2012
Patron Saints 2011
Patron Saints 2010

I am still looking to add plans for this year and some other great links soon so stay tuned and check back too!

Blessings to you and your homes,
 

Las Posadas

I have been waiting to share this beautiful tradition with you. I have thought what a wonderful thing it would be if we could experience this with a group of homeschool families or other like minded people. I believe this would truly bring home the importance of the fact that Our Lord was born in a stable and in very humble circumstances and that we are called to be like Him. During these nine days before Christmas, Mexicans and Mexican Americans have a wonderful custom called "Las Posadas," a nightly procession that brings to life Joseph and Mary's search for an inn. On each night, a house in the parish is chosen as the destination house, and the people of the parish gather to process to it. One young person is chosen to act as Mary (who sometimes rides a real donkey), and another to act as St. Joseph (sometimes a third is chosen to act as an angel, and others as shepherds); they are often all dressed in beautiful costumes. Behind the "holy family," the people of the parish walk, carrying candles and blowing whistles, until they reach that night's chosen home. There, the group knocks and sings a song that begs repeatedly and pitifully for shelter. They are refused in song over and over again, until the "innkeepers" relent and finally open the door (or, in other places, they knock on the doors of houses whose "innkeepers" refuse them, and then process to another house and another, etc., until they reach the house chosen for the night's festivities). Once allowed entry each night, all go inside and pray (usually the Christmas Novena or the Rosary), and a party follows, with wonderful tamales, churros, and other Mexican foods, and a pinata filled with hard candy, tangerines, and peanuts. On the last night (Christmas Eve), two children chosen to play Christ's godparents are added to the procession, which is more elaborate and colorful than the first nights. The godparents carry His likeness to the last destination, where a "nacimiento" (nativity scene) has been set up, and lay Him in the manger. Fireworks, food, piñatas, and Mass all follow. (Note: Italians have a similar but much less elaborate, 1-day "posadas" custom -- called "Tupa Tupa" -- on St. Joseph's Day, 19 March). HOME STYLE CELEBRATION~ Los Posados is one of the cherished traditions of Christmas in Mexico. It commemorates the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and their search for lodging.  Here is how the celebration works:  Children gather at homes. Each child is given a lit candle. The children form a lin and then begin walking down the street. The first two children in line carry small figures of the Holy Family (Mary and Joseph).  As they approach each house they are turned away until they arrive at a replica of the stable in Bethlehem. Once the children arrive at the “stable,” they arrange the figures of the Holy Family. They do all this to coincide with midnight.  Then they say prayers. After prayers there is a party. There is usually a piñata and fireworks.  Traditionally, Christmas gifts are not exchanged on December 25th. Gift are exchanged on January 6th on a day called “Day of the Wise Men.” Instead of hanging up stockings, Mexican children put their shoes out for the wise men (not Santa Claus) to fill with toys.  Mexican Version of the Night Before Christmas  Here are some traditional Mexican Christmas recipes for you to try.  Ponche Navideño: Punch 12 quarts water 10 oz tejocotes 6 oz walnuts 5 oranges juiced 8 guavas 4 sugar canes 10 oz prunes 3 sticks cinnamon 2 lb. Sugar Wash fruit. Cut the sugar cane into strips. Cut guava. Boil everything together, except the sugar. When cooked add the sugar and brandy.  Atole 4 servings 5 oz. tortilla- masa dough 2 tbsp. Cornstarch 3 cups milk 3 cups water 7 oz sugar 2 cinnamon sticks 1 tsp vanilla extract Dissolve the dough in the water. Strain the mixture, add the cinnamon sticks, and heat. When boiling add the milk, sugar, cornstarch. and vanilla. Let it boil, stirring constantly until it thickens. If too thick, add milk to achieve preferred consistency. Remove cinnamon stick and serve.  Chocolate Caliente 6 servings 6 cups of milk 6 oz sweet chocolate 6 oz semi sweet chocolate 1/2 tsp vanilla dash of cinnamon Heat the milk over medium flame. Break the chocolate into pieces. When the milk is hot, dissolve in it the chocolate pieces, moving constantly until everything is dissolved. Increase heat and let the mixture slowly boil. Add the vanilla and the cinnamon. Continue beating until frothy. Serve immediately and enjoy!  Buñuelos de Navidad -Christmas Sweet Fritters  10 servings 2 cups water 1 lb. Flour 2 whole eggs 1 egg yolk 1/2 tsp salt 2 tbsp anisette 9 oz. Lard 9 oz. piloncillo -raw sugar  Boil one tablespoon anisette in a cup of water and leave to cool. Mix and sift the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix in the eggs, the yolk and the anisette in water, as required, and knead until the dough stiffens. Form into small balls and roll out on a floured board until very thin. Continue flattening by hand on a napkin and place on a floured table. Heat the lard .Fry one by one in the lard. Heat the piloncillo in one cup of water with the remaining tablespoon of anisette. This mixture will thicken to a light syrup. remove from heat and strain. Serve the fritters, broken into pieces, in bowls and pour the syrup over them.  Ensalada de Navidad - Christmas Salad  2 small cooked beats, peeled and diced 1 large cooked carrot diced 1 orange, peeled and chopped 1 apple, peeled and diced 1/4 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and diced 1 large banana, diced 1/2 cup unsalted nuts, almonds or peanuts seeds of 1/2 small pomegranate 1 tbsp lime or lemon juice 3 tbsp salad oil 1/2 teaspoon sugar dash of salt Mix all the fruits. Put lime or lemon juice, salad oil, sugar and salt into a screw top jar. Shake until blended and sugar has dissolved. Pour the dressing over the fruit salad and toss well. Pile the salad into a salad bowl and garnish with the nuts and pomegranate seeds. Let it stand in the refrigerator until chilled. Serve chilled.  Blessings to you and your homes,

Novena to the Magi in anticipation of the Epiphany

Novena to the Magi in anticipation of the Epiphany ~
We beginthis one on 28 December (the Feast of the Holy Innocents) and ending on 5 January (the Vigil of the Epiphany).
28 December:
O holy Magi! You were living in continual expectation of the rising of the Star of Jacob, which would announce the birth of the true Sun of justice; obtain for us an increase of faith and charity, and the grace to live in continual hope of beholding one day the light of heavenly glory and eternal joy. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

29 December:
O holy Magi! who at the first appearance of the wondrous star left your native country to go and seek the newborn King of the Jews; obtain for us the grace of corresponding with alacrity to every divine inspiration. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

30 December:
O holy Magi! who regarded neither the severity of the season, nor the inconveniences of the journey that you might find the newborn Messiah; obtain for us the grace not to allow ourselves to be discouraged by any of the difficulties which may meet us on the way of salvation. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

31 December:
O holy Magi, who, when deserted by the star in the city of Jerusalem, sought humbly, and without human respect, from the rulers of the Church, the place where you might discover the object of your journey; obtain for us grace to have recourse, in faith and humility, in all our doubts and perplexities to the counsel of our superiors, who hold the place of God on earth. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

1 January:
O holy Magi, who were gladdened by the reappearance of the star which led you to Bethlehem; obtain for us from God the grace, that, remaining always faithful to Him in afflictions, we may be consoled in time by His grace, and in eternity by His glory. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

2 January:
O holy Magi, who, entering full of faith into the stable of Bethlehem, prostrated yourselves on the earth, to adore the newborn King of the Jews, though he was surrounded only by signs of poverty and weakness; obtain from the Lord for us a lively faith in the real presence of Jesus in the blessed Sacrament, the true spirit of poverty, and a Christ-like charity for the poor and suffering. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

3 January:
O holy Magi, who offered to Jesus Christ gold, incense, and myrrh, thereby recognizing Him to be at once King, God, and Man; obtain from the Lord for us the grace never to present ourselves before Him with empty hands; but that we may continually offer to Him the gold of charity, the incense of prayer, and the myrrh of penance and mortification. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

4 January:
O holy Magi, who, when warned by an angel not to return to Herd, traveled back to your country be another road; obtain for us from the Lord, the grace that, after having found Him in true repentance, we may avoid all danger of losing Him again. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

5 January:
O holy Magi, who were first among the Gentiles called to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and who persevered in the faith till your deaths, obtain for us of the Lord the grace of living always in conformity to our baptismal vows, ever leading to a life of faith; that like you we may attain to the beatific vision of that God Who now is the object of our faith. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end..

Blessings to you and your homes,
 

Christmas Novena Starts Today

Christmas Novena - December 16 - 24

It is a devotion well worth reviving, particularly in young families, for it focuses attention intensely on our expectation of the Coming King, and helps to prepare us spiritually to receive him into our hearts.

A Christmas novena is usually prayed, starting nine days before Christmas. The following novena was composed by an Italian priest, Rev. Charles Vachetta, C.M., in 1721. Most of the material comes from the Old Testament prophecies and the Psalms referring to the promised Redeemer.
The novena consists of Opening Responsory Prayers, Psalm (Let the Heavens Be Glad), Scripture Reading, Magnificat with Daily Antiphon and Closing Prayer.

This novena is prayed in conjunction with the O Antiphons, and if you are using an O Antiphon House or Tower, you would open the windows during this prayer.
Opening Prayers:
 
Father: O Lord, open my lips.
All: And my mouth shall proclaim Your praise.
Father: O God, come to my assistance.
All: O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia.
Father: Our Lord and King is drawing near, O come, let us adore Him.
All: Our Lord and King is drawing near, O come, let us adore Him.
Eldest Child: Rejoice, O you daughter of Sion and exult fully, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, the Lord and Master comes, and there shall be a brilliant light in that day, and the mountains shall drop down sweetness, and hills flow with milk and honey, for in that day the Great Prophet will come, and He Himself will renew Jerusalem.
All: Our Lord and King is drawing near, O come, let us adore Him.
Eldest Child: Behold, the God-man of the house of David will come to sit upon the royal throne, and you will see Him and your heart will rejoice.
All: O come, let us adore Him.
Eldest Child: Behold, the Lord our Protector will come to save us, Israel's holy One, wearing the crown of royalty on His noble brow and He will exercise His rule from sea to shining sea, and from the waters of the river to the ends of the earth.
All: O come, let us adore Him.
Eldest Child: Behold, the Lord and King will appear, and He will not deceive; but if He should delay, wait for Him to come; He will surely come and will not tarry.
All: O come, let us adore Him.
Eldest Child: The Lord will come down like rain upon the fleece of Gideon; justice will thrive and an abundance of true peace; all the kings of the lands of the earth will adore Him, and every nation will serve Him.
All: O come, let us adore Him.
Eldest Child: A Child will be born to us, and He will be called God the almighty; He will sit upon the royal throne of David His father, and He will hold sway, the sign of His power on His shoulder.
All: O come, let us adore Him.
Eldest Child: Bethlehem, city of the Most High God, from you will come forth the King of Israel, and He will proceed forth from His eternity; and He will be greatly praised in the midst of the entire universe; and there will be peace in our land when He will have come.
All: Our Lord and King is drawing near, O come, let us adore Him.
(On the Eve of Christmas add:)
Eldest Child: Tomorrow the wickedness of the whole world will be destroyed, and over us will reign the Savior of the world. All: Our Lord and King is drawing near, O come, let us adore Him.
Eldest Child: Near at last is Christ our King. All: O come, let us adore Him.

---

Let the Heavens Be Glad
All:Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, for the day of the Lord is nigh: behold, He will come to save us, alleluia, alleluia!
The following prayer can be said all together, or each phrase recited alternately.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice. O all you mountains, praise the Lord.
Let the mountains break forth into gladness, and the hills with justice.
For the Lord shall come and to the poor He shall show mercy.
Drop down dew, you heavens, from above and let the clouds rain the Just One;
Let the earth be opened and bud forth the Savior.
Be mindful of us, O Lord, and visit us in Your salvation.
Show to us, O Lord, Your mercy, and grant us your salvation.
Come, O Lord, in peace visit us that with a perfect heart we may rejoice before You.
Come, O Lord, do not tarry; do away with the offenses of Your people.
Come and show to us Your countenance, O Lord. You sit upon the cherubim.
Father: Glory to the Father and the Son and to the Holy Spirit. All: As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.
All: Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, for the day of the Lord is nigh: behold, He will come to save us, alleluia, alleluia!

---

Scripture Reading
December 16: Genesis 3:1-15; Romans 1:18-26
December 17: Genesis 3:14-20; Romans 5:12-21
December 18: Genesis 17:15-23; Romans 4:13-23
December 19: Deuteronomy 15:13-20; Acts 3:18-26
December 20: Isaiah 28:14-20; Romans 10:5-11
December 21: 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Luke 1:26-39
December 22: Deuteronomy 7:6-21; Ephesians 2:12-22
December 23: Isaiah 7:10-16; Matthew 1:18-25
December 24: Micah 5:1-5; Luke 2:1-8
All: Thanks be to God.
Leader: Drop down dew from above, O you heavens, and let the clouds rain the Just One.

---

Daily Antiphons for the Magnificat
16. Behold, the King will come, the Lord of the earth, and He will remove from us the yoke of our captivity.
17. O Wisdom, who came from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly, Come, and teach us the way of prudence.
18. O Lord and Ruler of the House of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with outstretched arm.
19. O Root of Jesse, who stands for an ensign of the people, before whom kinds shall keep silence and unto whom the Gentiles shall make supplication: Come to deliver us, and tarry not.
20. O Key of David, and Sceptre of the House of Israel, who opens and no man shuts, who shuts and no man opens: Come and bring forth the captive from his prison, he who sits in darkness and in the shadow of death.
21. O King of the Gentiles and their desired One, the Cornerstone that makes both one: Come, and deliver man, whom You formed out the dust of the earth.
22. O King of the Gentiles and their desired One, the Cornerstone that makes both one: Come, and deliver man, whom You formed out of the dust of the earth.
23. O Emmanuel, God with us, our King and Lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Savior: Come to save us, O Lord our God.
24. With the rising of the sun, you will soon see the King of kings and Lord of lords, coming forth from His Father, as the bridegroom, from His bridal chamber.

---

Magnificat
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.
He has mercy on those who fear Him in every generation.
He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, And has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.
He come to the help of his servant Israel for He has remembered His promise of mercy, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen. (All: Repeat the Antiphon for the Day)

---

Closing Prayer:
Father: O Lord, hear my prayer. All: And let my cry come to You.
Father: Let us pray: Hasten, we beseech You, O Lord; do not delay; grant us the help of supernatural virtue, so that Your coming will be a consolation to those who hope in Your mercy. You who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God world without end. All: Amen.
Father: Let us bless the Lord. All: And give Him thanks.
Father: May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. All: Amen.
Taken from Living and Celebrating The Advent-Christmas Seasons © 1982 by the Daughters of St. Paul, and The Twelve Days of Christmas by Elsa Chaney, © 1955 The Liturgical Press.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Christmas Rose Novena

I seem to be running a day behind in posting my Novena's this year but here is another one for you to contemplate.
The Christmas Rose Novena to St. Therese begins on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 12 days before Christmas. Yes I am a day late!
It is prayed  12 times per day for 12 days to honor the 12 years of Christ's childhood.

MYSTICAL ROSE NOVENA

Remember, O Gracious Little Rose Queen, your promise to spend your heaven in doing good on earth and even, if necessary, to come down to help those who ask your aid. If it is God's Holy Will, and my dispositions are pleasing to Him by their honesty and true desire for goodness, keep your promise to shower roses and send me some visible sign of your heavenly friendship for me and for those I love. In memory of the great interior enlightenment you received on a certain Christmas of your early life, ask God for a ":Christmas Rose" for me in these my urgent needs, that I may experience an increase in faith, hope and confidence. (Meditate, here upon your petitions so that St. Therese can understand why your are asking her to assist you.) I desire to know and to accept real objective truth about life and death. Give me assurance that you understand and will remain my heavenly friend, so that one day we may be together with God. Keep your promise to give some answer! Amen.

St. Therese of Lisieux ~ Pray for us!

Blessings to you and your homes,

Our Lady of Guadalupe Novena

This Novean is said from 4th December to the Feast Day on the 12th
(or a day later in our case this year)

Our Lady of Guadalupe,
According to your message in Mexico
I venerate you as "the Virgin Mother
Of the true God for whom we live,
The Creator of all the world,
Maker of heaven and earth."
In spirit I kneel before your most holy Image
Which you miraculously imprinted
Upon the cloak of the Indian Juan Diego,
And with the faith
Of the countless numbers of pilgrims
Who visit your shrine,
I beg you for this favor:
To be a generous, self-sacrificing,
Faithful Marian Catechist all the days of my life.

Remember, O Immaculate Virgin,
The words you spoke to your devout client,
"I am a merciful Mother to you
And to all your people
Who love me and trust in me And invoke my help.
I listen to their lamentations and solace
All their sorrows and their sufferings."
I beg you to be a merciful Mother to me,
Because I sincerely love you and trust in you
And invoke your help.
I entreat you, Our Lady of Guadalupe,
To grant my request,
If this should be the Will of God,
In order that I may
"Bear witness to your love, your compassion,
Your help and protection."
Do not forsake me in my needs. Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

Say the following prayers...

DAY ONE

Dearest Lady of Guadalupe,
fruitful Mother of holiness,
teach me your ways of gentleness and strength.
Hear my humble prayer offered with heartfelt confidence
to beg this favor...

State your request here...

Recite the following prayers...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

DAY TWO

O Mary, conceived without sin,
I come to your throne of grace
to share the fervent devotion
of your faithful Mexican children
who call to you under the glorious Aztec title of Guadalupe.
Obtain for me a lively faith to do your Son’s holy will always:
May His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

State your request here...

Recite the following prayers...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

DAY THREE

O Mary, whose Immaculate Heart was pierced
by seven swords of grief,
help me to walk valiantly
amid the sharp thorns strewn across my pathway.
Obtain for me the strength to be a true imitator of you.
This I ask you, my dear Mother.

State your request here...

Recite the following prayers...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

DAY FOUR

Dearest Mother of Guadalupe,
I beg you for a fortified will
to imitate your divine Son’s charity,
to always seek the good of others in need.
Grant me this, I humbly ask of you.

State your request here...

Recite the following prayers...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

DAY FIVE

O most holy Mother,
I beg you to obtain for me pardon of all my sins,
abundant graces to serve your Son more faithfully from now on,
and lastly, the grace to praise Him with you forever in heaven.

State your request here...

Recite the following prayers...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

DAY SIX

Mary, Mother of vocations,
multiply priestly vocations
and fill the earth with religious houses
which will be light and warmth for the world,
safety in stormy nights.
Beg your Son to send us many priests and religious.
This we ask of you, O Mother.

State your request here...

Recite the following prayers...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

DAY SEVEN

O Lady of Guadalupe,
we beg you that parents live a holy life
and educate their children in a Christian manner;
that children obey and follow the directions of their parents;
that all members of the family pray and worship together.
This we ask of you, O Mother.

State your request here...

Recite the following prayers...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

DAY EIGHT

With my heart full of the most sincere veneration,
I prostrate myself before you, O Mother,
to ask you to obtain for me the grace
to fulfill the duties of my state in life with faithfulness and constancy.
State your request here...

Recite the following prayers...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

DAY NINE

O God, You have been pleased
to bestow upon us unceasing favors
by having placed us under the special protection
of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary.
Grant us, your humble servants,
who rejoice in honoring her today upon earth,
the happiness of seeing her face to face in heaven.

State your request here...

Recite the following prayers...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

 

Blessings to you and your homes,
 

The Immaculate Conception Novena (late edition)

The Immaculate Conception Novena~

This is said from29th November - 7th December.
(Sorry witht he late edition got caught up in life)

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son,
we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain,
so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You.
Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, world without end.
Amen.

Day One

O most Holy Virgin, who was pleasing to the Lord and became His mother, immaculate in body and spirit, in faith and in love, look kindly on me as I implore your powerful intercession. O most Holy Mother, who by your blessed Immaculate Conception, from the first moment of your conception did crush the head of the enemy, receive our prayers as we implore you to present at the throne of God the favor we now request...
(State your intention here...)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.

Day Two

O Mary, ever blessed Virgin, Mother of God, Queen of angels and of saints, we salute you with the most profound veneration and filial devotion as we contemplate your holy Immaculate Conception, We thank you for your maternal protection and for the many blessings that we have received through your wondrous mercy and most powerful intercession. In all our necessities we have recourse to you with unbounded confidence. O Mother of Mercy, we beseech you now to hear our prayer and to obtain for us of your Divine Son the favor that we so earnestly request in this novena...
(State your intention here...)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.

Day Three

O Blessed Virgin Mary, glory of the Christian people, joy of the universal Church and Mother of Our Lord, speak for us to the Heart of Jesus, who is your Son and our brother. O Mary, who by your holy Immaculate Conception did enter the world free from stain, in your mercy obtain for us from Jesus the special favor which we now so earnestly seek...
(State your intention here...)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.

Day Four

O Mary, Mother of God, endowed in your glorious Immaculate Conception with the fullness of grace; unique among women in that you are both mother and virgin; Mother of Christ and Virgin of Christ, we ask you to look down with a tender heart from your throne and listen to our prayers as we earnestly ask that you obtain for us the favor for which we now plead...
(State your intention here...)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

Day Five

O Lord, who, by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, did prepare a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you that as by the foreseen death of your Son, you did preserve her from all stain of sin, grant that through her intercession, we may be favored with the granting of the grace that we seek for at this time...
(State your intention here...)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

Day Six

Glorious and immortal Queen of Heaven, we profess our firm belief in your Immaculate Conception preordained for you in the merits of your Divine Son. We rejoice with you in your Immaculate Conception. To the one ever-reigning God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three in Person, one in nature, we offer thanks for your blessed Immaculate Conception. O Mother of the Word made Flesh, listen to our petition as we ask this special grace during this novena...
(State your intention here...)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

Day Seven

O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and my mother, from the sublime heights of your dignity turn your merciful eyes upon me while I, full of confidence in your bounty and keeping in mind your Immaculate conception and fully conscious of your power, beg of you to come to our aid and ask your Divine Son to grant the favor we earnestly seek in this novena... if it be beneficial for our immortal souls and the souls for whom we pray.
(State your intention here...)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.

Day Eight

O Most gracious Virgin Mary, beloved Mother of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, intercede with him for us that we be granted the favor which we petition for so earnestly in this novena...O Mother of the Word Incarnate, we feel animated with confidence that your prayers in our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. O Glorious Mother of God, in memory of your joyous Immaculate Conception, hear our prayers and obtain for us our petitions.
(State your intention here...)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.

Day Nine

O Mother of the King of the Universe, most perfect member of the human race, "our tainted nature’s solitary boast," we turn to you as mother, advocate, and mediatrix. O Holy Mary, assist us in our present necessity. By your Immaculate Conception, O Mary conceived without sin, we humbly beseech you from the bottom of our heart to intercede for us with your Divine Son and ask that we be granted the favor for which we now plead...
(State your intention here...)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

Blessings to you and your homes,

St Andrew Novena Starts Today

St. Andrew Christmas Novena

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 piercing cold.

In that hour vouchsafe, O my God,

To hear my prayer and grant my desires,

Through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ,

And of His Blessed Mother. Amen

(State your intention here)

(To be recited fifteen times a day from the Feast of St. Andrew (Nov. 30) until Christmas)

Blessings to you and your homes,

Advent Planning - JesseTree and Prayer

As part of our Advent studies we spend a large amount of our focus on prayer and reading about the background of Jesus in our study of the Jesse Tree each year.
We have two variations of the Jessie Tree we follow each with slightly different readings.
Here is a list of daily readings and symbols from The Catholic Home

The World is Created – Globe – Genesis 1:24-28 Adam and Eve – Snake and Apples – Genesis 3:1-24 Noah and the Flood – Rainbow – Genesis 6:11-22; 86-12; 9:11-17 Abraham – Camel – Genesis 12:1-7:13:2-18; 18:1 Sarah – Baby – Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7 Isaac – Ram – Genesis 22:1-14 Jacob – Ladder – Genesis 27:41-28:22 Joseph – Multicolored Coat – Genesis 37:1-36 Moses – Burning Bush – Exodus 3:1-10 Miriam – Tambourine – Exodus 15:19-21 Samuel – Lamp – 1 Samuel 3:1-21 Jesse – Branch – Isaiah 11:1

David – Harp – 1 Samuel 16:14-23 Solomon – Crown – 1 Kings 3:3-28 Isaiah – Throne – Isaiah 6:1-8 Jeremiah – Tablets of Law – Jeremiah 31:31-34 Angels – Angel – Hebrews 1:1-14 Malachi – Trumpet – Malachi 3:1-4 Zechariah and Elizabeth – Baby - Luke 1:39-45 Mary – Angel – Luke 1:29-35 John the Baptist – River – Matthew 3:1-6 Joseph of Nazareth – Hammer/Saw – Matthew 1:18-25 Bethlehem – Star – Matthew 2:1-12 Birth of Christ – Crib – Luke 2:1-7

The above sites also has coloured images to print out and laminate if you are looking for a quick start to beginning a Jesse Tree.

Neither of these are the ones we use, but ours is an old printed out version I cannot find a link for. Although we do have this one we use also.
I don't think it matters which version you use just taking the time to do this is very beneficial to Advent preparations in my view.
Another part of our prayer life during Advent is the Novenas associated with Saint and Feast Days~

The first one is the St Andrew Novena said 15 times a day from 30th November throught till Christmas Eve

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment
At which the Son of God was born
Of a most pure Virgin
At a stable at midnight in Bethlehem
In the piercing cold
At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee,
To hear my prayers and grant my desires
(mention request here).

Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother.

Another is the Immaculate Conception Novena. This is said from29th November - 7th December. We also make a Novena Candle that we light as we say this Novena each night.
Here is another version as well.

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Day One

O most Holy Virgin, who was pleasing to the Lord and became His mother, immaculate in body and spirit, in faith and in love, look kindly on me as I implore your powerful intercession. O most Holy Mother, who by your blessed Immaculate Conception, from the first moment of your conception did crush the head of the enemy, receive our prayers as we implore you to present at the throne of God the favor we now request...
(State your intention here...)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.

Day Two

O Mary, ever blessed Virgin, Mother of God, Queen of angels and of saints, we salute you with the most profound veneration and filial devotion as we contemplate your holy Immaculate Conception, We thank you for your maternal protection and for the many blessings that we have received through your wondrous mercy and most powerful intercession. In all our necessities we have recourse to you with unbounded confidence. O Mother of Mercy, we beseech you now to hear our prayer and to obtain for us of your Divine Son the favor that we so earnestly request in this novena...
(State your intention here...)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.

Day Three

O Blessed Virgin Mary, glory of the Christian people, joy of the universal Church and Mother of Our Lord, speak for us to the Heart of Jesus, who is your Son and our brother. O Mary, who by your holy Immaculate Conception did enter the world free from stain, in your mercy obtain for us from Jesus the special favor which we now so earnestly seek...
(State your intention here...)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.

Day Four

O Mary, Mother of God, endowed in your glorious Immaculate Conception with the fullness of grace; unique among women in that you are both mother and virgin; Mother of Christ and Virgin of Christ, we ask you to look down with a tender heart from your throne and listen to our prayers as we earnestly ask that you obtain for us the favor for which we now plead...
(State your intention here...)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

Day Five

O Lord, who, by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, did prepare a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you that as by the foreseen death of your Son, you did preserve her from all stain of sin, grant that through her intercession, we may be favored with the granting of the grace that we seek for at this time...
(State your intention here...)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

Day Six

Glorious and immortal Queen of Heaven, we profess our firm belief in your Immaculate Conception preordained for you in the merits of your Divine Son. We rejoice with you in your Immaculate Conception. To the one ever-reigning God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three in Person, one in nature, we offer thanks for your blessed Immaculate Conception. O Mother of the Word made Flesh, listen to our petition as we ask this special grace during this novena...
(State your intention here...)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

Day Seven

O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and my mother, from the sublime heights of your dignity turn your merciful eyes upon me while I, full of confidence in your bounty and keeping in mind your Immaculate conception and fully conscious of your power, beg of you to come to our aid and ask your Divine Son to grant the favor we earnestly seek in this novena... if it be beneficial for our immortal souls and the souls for whom we pray.
(State your intention here...)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.

Day Eight

O Most gracious Virgin Mary, beloved Mother of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, intercede with him for us that we be granted the favor which we petition for so earnestly in this novena...O Mother of the Word Incarnate, we feel animated with confidence that your prayers in our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. O Glorious Mother of God, in memory of your joyous Immaculate Conception, hear our prayers and obtain for us our petitions.
(State your intention here...)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.

Day Nine

O Mother of the King of the Universe, most perfect member of the human race, "our tainted nature’s solitary boast," we turn to you as mother, advocate, and mediatrix. O Holy Mary, assist us in our present necessity. By your Immaculate Conception, O Mary conceived without sin, we humbly beseech you from the bottom of our heart to intercede for us with your Divine Son and ask that we be granted the favor for which we now plead...
(State your intention here...)
O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.


Recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin.


Then we will do this special novena from December 4- 12
Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe ~

Our Lady of Guadalupe,
According to your message in Mexico
I venerate you as "the Virgin Mother
Of the true God for whom we live,
The Creator of all the world,
Maker of heaven and earth."
In spirit I kneel before your most holy Image
Which you miraculously imprinted
Upon the cloak of the Indian Juan Diego,
And with the faith
Of the countless numbers of pilgrims
Who visit your shrine,
I beg you for this favor:
To be a generous, self-sacrificing,
Faithful Marian Catechist all the days of my life.

Remember, O Immaculate Virgin,
The words you spoke to your devout client,
"I am a merciful Mother to you
And to all your people
Who love me and trust in me And invoke my help.
I listen to their lamentations and solace
All their sorrows and their sufferings."
I beg you to be a merciful Mother to me,
Because I sincerely love you and trust in you
And invoke your help.
I entreat you, Our Lady of Guadalupe,
To grant my request,
If this should be the Will of God,
In order that I may
"Bear witness to your love, your compassion,
Your help and protection."
Do not forsake me in my needs. Amen.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

Say the following prayers...

DAY ONE

Dearest Lady of Guadalupe,
fruitful Mother of holiness,
teach me your ways of gentleness and strength.
Hear my humble prayer offered with heartfelt confidence
to beg this favor...

State your request here...

Recite the following prayers...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

DAY TWO

O Mary, conceived without sin,
I come to your throne of grace
to share the fervent devotion
of your faithful Mexican children
who call to you under the glorious Aztec title of Guadalupe.
Obtain for me a lively faith to do your Son’s holy will always:
May His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

State your request here...

Recite the following prayers...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

DAY THREE

O Mary, whose Immaculate Heart was pierced
by seven swords of grief,
help me to walk valiantly
amid the sharp thorns strewn across my pathway.
Obtain for me the strength to be a true imitator of you.
This I ask you, my dear Mother.

State your request here...

Recite the following prayers...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

DAY FOUR

Dearest Mother of Guadalupe,
I beg you for a fortified will
to imitate your divine Son’s charity,
to always seek the good of others in need.
Grant me this, I humbly ask of you.

State your request here...

Recite the following prayers...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

DAY FIVE

O most holy Mother,
I beg you to obtain for me pardon of all my sins,
abundant graces to serve your Son more faithfully from now on,
and lastly, the grace to praise Him with you forever in heaven.

State your request here...

Recite the following prayers...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

DAY SIX

Mary, Mother of vocations,
multiply priestly vocations
and fill the earth with religious houses
which will be light and warmth for the world,
safety in stormy nights.
Beg your Son to send us many priests and religious.
This we ask of you, O Mother.

State your request here...

Recite the following prayers...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

DAY SEVEN

O Lady of Guadalupe,
we beg you that parents live a holy life
and educate their children in a Christian manner;
that children obey and follow the directions of their parents;
that all members of the family pray and worship together.
This we ask of you, O Mother.

State your request here...

Recite the following prayers...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

DAY EIGHT

With my heart full of the most sincere veneration,
I prostrate myself before you, O Mother,
to ask you to obtain for me the grace
to fulfill the duties of my state in life with faithfulness and constancy.
State your request here...

Recite the following prayers...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

DAY NINE

O God, You have been pleased
to bestow upon us unceasing favors
by having placed us under the special protection
of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary.
Grant us, your humble servants,
who rejoice in honoring her today upon earth,
the happiness of seeing her face to face in heaven.

State your request here...

Recite the following prayers...

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

O St John Vianney,
Patron of Priests,
pray for us and for all priests!

Christmas Novena ~
We say this Novena beginning on 16 December and ending on 24 December. This Novena, though it starts one day earlier than the O Antiphons, correlates with the O Antiphons in the titles used to address Jesus between 17 and 24 December. Becasue of this we use it in conjunction with our O Antiphons.
We also sing O Com, O Come Emanuel before praying each day.
Adding a verse each day as these relate to the prayers

16 December:
O Shepherd that rulest Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep, come to guide and comfort us.

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.

17 December:
O Wisdom that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one end to another, and orderest all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence!

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.

18 December:
O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gavest him the law in Sinai, come to redeem us with an outstretched arm!

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.

19 December:
O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at Whom the kings shall shut their mouths, Whom the Gentiles shall seek, come to deliver us, do not tarry.

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.

20 December:
O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth, come to liberate the prisoner from the prison, and them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death.

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.

21 December:
O Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting light, Son of justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death!

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.

22 December:
O King of the Gentiles, yea, and desire thereof! O Corner-stone, that makest of two one, come to save man, whom Thou hast made out of the dust of the earth!

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.

23 December:
O Emmanuel, our King and our Law-giver, Longing of the Gentiles, yea, and salvation thereof, come to save us, O Lord our God!

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.

24 December:
O Thou that sittest upon the cherubim, God of hosts, come, show Thy face, and we shall be saved.

Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory be.


Novena to the Magi in anticipation of the Epiphany ~
We beginthis one on 28 December (the Feast of the Holy Innocents) and ending on 5 January (the Vigil of the Epiphany).

28 December:
O holy Magi! You were living in continual expectation of the rising of the Star of Jacob, which would announce the birth of the true Sun of justice; obtain for us an increase of faith and charity, and the grace to live in continual hope of beholding one day the light of heavenly glory and eternal joy. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

29 December:
O holy Magi! who at the first appearance of the wondrous star left your native country to go and seek the newborn King of the Jews; obtain for us the grace of corresponding with alacrity to every divine inspiration. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

30 December:
O holy Magi! who regarded neither the severity of the season, nor the inconveniences of the journey that you might find the newborn Messiah; obtain for us the grace not to allow ourselves to be discouraged by any of the difficulties which may meet us on the way of salvation. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

31 December:
O holy Magi, who, when deserted by the star in the city of Jerusalem, sought humbly, and without human respect, from the rulers of the Church, the place where you might discover the object of your journey; obtain for us grace to have recourse, in faith and humility, in all our doubts and perplexities to the counsel of our superiors, who hold the place of God on earth. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

1 January:
O holy Magi, who were gladdened by the reappearance of the star which led you to Bethlehem; obtain for us from God the grace, that, remaining always faithful to Him in afflictions, we may be consoled in time by His grace, and in eternity by His glory. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

2 January:
O holy Magi, who, entering full of faith into the stable of Bethlehem, prostrated yourselves on the earth, to adore the newborn King of the Jews, though he was surrounded only by signs of poverty and weakness; obtain from the Lord for us a lively faith in the real presence of Jesus in the blessed Sacrament, the true spirit of poverty, and a Christ-like charity for the poor and suffering. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

3 January:
O holy Magi, who offered to Jesus Christ gold, incense, and myrrh, thereby recognizing Him to be at once King, God, and Man; obtain from the Lord for us the grace never to present ourselves before Him with empty hands; but that we may continually offer to Him the gold of charity, the incense of prayer, and the myrrh of penance and mortification. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

4 January:
O holy Magi, who, when warned by an angel not to return to Herd, traveled back to your country be another road; obtain for us from the Lord, the grace that, after having found Him in true repentance, we may avoid all danger of losing Him again. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

5 January:
O holy Magi, who were first among the Gentiles called to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and who persevered in the faith till your deaths, obtain for us of the Lord the grace of living always in conformity to our baptismal vows, ever leading to a life of faith; that like you we may attain to the beatific vision of that God Who now is the object of our faith. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end..

I pray that sharing how we use the Jesse Tree Readings and the various Novena's has been helpful to you in preparing for Advent. If not it has a least given me a place to put it all together in one spot.

Blessings,