Day FiveDecember 20
Prayer for Every Day
Most gracious God of infinite charity, who so loved mankind that you gave us in your Son the greatest pledge of your love, so that, made man in the womb of a Virgin, he might be born in a manger for our salvation and remedy. I, in the name of all mortals, give you endless thanks for so sovereign a benefit. In return I offer you the poverty, humility, and other virtues of your Son made man, begging you by his divine merits, by the hardships with which he was born, and by the tender tears he shed in the manger, to dispose our hearts to profound humility, to burning love, and to such contempt for all that is earthly, that the newborn Jesus may find in them his cradle and dwell there forever. Amen.
(Pray “Glory be to the Father” three times.)
Reflection
We have already seen the life the Child Jesus led in the womb of his most pure Mother; today let us also consider the life that Mary lived during the same time. We must dwell upon it if we wish to understand, as far as our limited capacity allows, the sublime mysteries of the Incarnation and the way we must correspond to them.
Mary did not cease to sigh for the moment when she would enjoy that earthly beatific vision: the face of God made flesh. She was about to see that human face which was to illuminate heaven for all eternity. She would read filial love in those very eyes whose rays would forever spread happiness over millions of the elect. She would see that face every day, every hour, every instant for many years. She would see him in the apparent ignorance of infancy, in the particular charms of youth, and in the reflective serenity of mature age. She would do with that divine face whatever she wished: press it to hers with all the freedom of maternal love; cover with kisses the lips that were to pronounce sentence upon all men; contemplate it at leisure while he slept or while he was awake until she had learned it by heart. How ardently she desired that day!
Such was Mary’s life of expectation. It was unheard‑of in itself and yet it remained the magnificent type of every Christian life. Let us not content ourselves with admiring Jesus dwelling in Mary, but let us think that he also dwells in us by essence, power, and presence. If Jesus is continually born in us and of us by the good works that grace enables us to do and by our cooperation, then the soul in grace is a perpetual womb of Mary, an inner Bethlehem without end. After Communion, Jesus dwells in us for a few moments really and substantially as God and as man, for the same Child who was in Mary is also in the Most Blessed Sacrament. What is all this if not a participation in Mary’s life during those wondrous months, and an expectation filled with delights like hers?
Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sovereign Mary, who by your great virtues and especially by your humility deserved that God himself should choose you as his Mother, I beg you to prepare and dispose my soul, and the souls of all who make this novena at this time, for the spiritual birth of your adored Son.
O sweetest Mother! Share with me something of the deep recollection and divine tenderness with which you awaited him, so that you may make us less unworthy to see him, love him, and adore him for all eternity. Amen.
(Pray the Hail Mary nine times.)
Prayer to Saint Joseph
O most holy Joseph, spouse of Mary and putative father of Jesus! I give infinite thanks to God for choosing you for such lofty ministries and adorning you with every gift suited to so excellent a dignity. I beg you, by the love you had for the Divine Child, to inflame me with fervent desires to see him and receive him sacramentally, while in his divine essence I see and enjoy him in heaven. Amen.
(Pray the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be.)
Aspirations for the Coming of the Child Jesus
My sweet Jesus, my adored Child,
Come into our souls!
Come, do not delay so long!
O highest Wisdom of the sovereign God, who to a child’s reach yourself humbly bend! O Divine Child, come to teach us the prudence that makes true sages indeed!
Come into our souls!
Come, do not delay so long!
O mighty Adonai, who speaking to Moses to Israel’s people gave the commandments! Ah, come swiftly to rescue us, and let a feeble Child show his mighty arm!
Come into our souls!
Come, do not delay so long!
O holy Root of Jesse, who on high to the world presents your fragrant blossom! O sweetest Child, called the lily of the valleys, fair flower of the field!
Come into our souls!
Come, do not delay so long!
Key of David, who opens to the exile the closed doors of the royal palace! Lead us out, O Child, with your spotless hand, from the gloomy prison built by sin!
Come into our souls!
Come, do not delay so long!
O Dawn’s Radiance, Sun of eternal rays, let us see your splendor amid the darkness! Most precious Child, delight of the Christian, let the smile of your sweet lips shine!
Come into our souls!
Come, do not delay so long!
Spotless Mirror, Holy of holies, peerless image of the sovereign God! Blot out our faults, save the exile, and, as a Child, give the wretched shelter!
Come into our souls!
Come, do not delay so long!
King of nations, bright Emmanuel, Israel’s longing, Shepherd of the flock! Child who guides with gentle staff both the stubborn sheep and the meek lamb!
Come into our souls!
Come, do not delay so long!
Let the heavens open and from on high rain down life‑giving dew like holy watering! Come, beautiful Child, come, God made man! Let the fair star shine, let the flower of the field spring forth!
Come into our souls!
Come, do not delay so long!
Come, for Mary prepares her arms, that soon she may see her Child! Come, for Joseph, with holy longing, makes himself ready to be the shrine of your love!
Come into our souls!
Come, do not delay so long!
Help of the weak, comfort of the afflicted, consolation of the sad, light of the exile! Life of my life, my beloved Lord, my constant friend, my divine brother!
Come into our souls!
Come, do not delay so long!
May my eyes see you, with love for you! Let me kiss your feet, let me kiss your hands. Prostrate on the earth, I stretch out my arms, and more than my words my tears speak to you.
Come into our souls!
Come, do not delay so long!
Come, our Savior, for whom we sigh!
Come into our souls!
Come, do not delay so long!
Prayer to the Child Jesus
Remember, O sweetest Child Jesus, that you said to the venerable Margaret of the Blessed Sacrament, and in her person to all your devotees, these words so consoling for our poor afflicted and suffering humanity: “Whatever you wish to ask, ask it through the merits of my childhood and nothing shall be denied you.” Full of confidence in you, O Jesus, who are Truth itself, we come to lay before you all our misery. Help us to live a holy life so as to obtain a blessed eternity. Grant us, through the infinite merits of your Incarnation and your childhood, the grace we so greatly need.
(Brief pause for a silent petition.)
We give ourselves to you, O almighty Child, certain that our hope will not be disappointed and that, by virtue of your divine promise, you will graciously receive and answer our supplication. Amen.