Christmas Anticipation 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,

[State your intention(s) here…]

through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ,
and of His blessed Mother.

Amen.

(Beginning on St. Andrew the Apostle’s feast day, November 30th, the following prayer
is traditionally prayed 15 times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer
that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare
ourselves spiritually for His coming.)

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The legacy of Christmas Anticipation Prayer

The Christmas Anticipation Prayer is a Catholic prayer that is recited during the Advent season, in preparation for Christmas. The prayer expresses a longing for the coming of Christ and for the renewal of the world.

The exact origin of the prayer is uncertain, but it has likely been used in the Catholic Church for centuries. It is a way of expressing the joy and anticipation of the Christmas season, and of cultivating a spirit of hope and expectation.

The prayer invites us to reflect on the meaning of Christmas and to prepare our hearts to receive Christ anew. It recognizes that the coming of Christ is a sign of God’s love and mercy for us, and it invites us to share that love and mercy with others.

The prayer is often recited as part of Catholic Advent traditions, such as the lighting of Advent candles and the decoration of the Advent wreath. It is a way of preparing ourselves for the celebration of Christmas, both spiritually and emotionally.

Overall, the Christmas Anticipation Prayer is a beautiful and meaningful prayer that reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas. It invites us to prepare our hearts to receive Christ anew and to share His love and mercy with others. The prayer is a powerful tool for spiritual growth and can help us to deepen our relationship with God during the Advent season.