CHRISTMAS (NATIVITY OF OUR LORD) NOVENA: DAY 8 (DECEMBER 23) – For the unemployed and progress at work for the employed

INTRODUCTION

The Nativity through St. Joseph's eyes

On the eighth day of our preparation for Christmas, on the eve of the Happy Night, the liturgy introduces us to the birth of John the Baptist. It is a passage that helps us to see the attitude of Zechariah and Elizabeth, who tried to be faithful to what the angel had commanded them, naming their son John. Just as Zechariah was dumb at the angel’s apparition, now his tongue is released to praise and bless the Lord.

OPENING PRAYER

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Fr. Chinaka: Our help is in the name of the Lord
Participants: who made heaven and earth

Fr. Chinaka: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
Participants: As it was, in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.

God of infinite goodness, who loved us so much and who gave us in your Son the best offer of your love, so that, incarnated and made our brother in the womb of the Blessed Virgin, we would be adopted as sons and daughters of God. We give you thanks for such an immense benefit, and we offer you back, Lord, the sincere effort to make this your world and ours, a fairer world, more faithful to the great commandment to love one another as brothers and sisters. Grant us, Lord, your help to be able to accomplish it. We ask that this Christmas, a feast of peace and joy, be a stimulus for our community so that, living as brothers and sisters, we seek more and more the paths of truth, justice, love, and peace. (You may add your private petitions here) Amen.

SCRIPTURAL READING/MEDITATION: Luke 1: 57-66

The time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son; and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had shown her so great a kindness, they shared her joy. Now on the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother spoke up. ‘No,’ she said ‘he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘But no one in your family has that name’, and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called. The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And they were all astonished. At that instant, his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God. All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea. All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. ‘What will this child turn out to be?’ they wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.

The Gospel of the Lord

POINTS FOR MEDITATION

Go deeper into today’s gospel text, observe the attitude of Elizabeth and Zechariah, in obeying the Lord and then praising Him.

PRAYER TO THE PREGNANT VIRGIN & SAINT JOSEPH

An Expectant Mary – TheologyisaverbOh Virgin Mother, we are beginning to prepare for your Son’s Nativity. We want to be with you to accompany you in these last days of your pregnancy. To share with you the joy that you feel in these moments, and thus learn from you how to correspond to the Lord, how to act according to his will, so that we may find joy, peace, and fulfillment in your Son, of the life that only He can give us. O Blessed Virgin and Mother, intercede for each one of us, ask your Son to help us live these days with the joy that you had in those moments of your Son’s birth. Amen. Important Lessons for Christmas from “The Sleeping Saint Joseph” – The Best Catholic

Blessed Saint Joseph, husband of Mary and father of the Baby Jesus, you were chosen by the Almighty Father to be the Father and Guardian of His choicest Treasure, Christ our Redeemer, in the home of Nazareth. Help the fathers of families; may they always be in the home the image of the heavenly father, following your examples; may they fulfill the great responsibility of educating and forming their children, giving them, with a continuous effort, the best of themselves. Help children to understand and appreciate the unselfish efforts of their parents. Saint Joseph, husband, and father, intercede for us. Amen.

Pray 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, and 1 Glory be, seeking the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, while at the same time, contemplating on their “YES” in the mystery of Salvation (cf. Luke 1:26-38 and Matthew 1:19-24)

LITANY OF THE INFANT JESUS

(Short invocations)

Divine Baby Jesus, Bless us
Our Judge, forgive us
Well of Kindness, Feed Our Faith
Our hope, Sustain us
Our Protector, Defend us
Source of Our life, Refresh us
Alpha and Omega, stay with us
Divine Baby Jesus, in you we trust

LET US PRAY:

Lord Jesus Christ, Lord, seeing how You gave Zacariah and Elizabeth the grace to generate life, to be parents in their old age, and how they knew how to respond to the invitation You made to them. I ask You to bless every father and mother of families. May every father have the strength that Zacariah had, the faith and commitment of Joseph, and the disposition and openness of heart to be your instrument at all times, so that the children see an example and testimony in their parents. Also, Lord, fill the heart of every woman who is a mother, so that with Your tenderness and Your love, they can transmit the love You have for us. Make Lord, that our children find joy and happiness in the joy of Your children. May each family be a reflection of Your Family. May there be peace, love, joy, and happiness in all, as there was in yours. Amen.

CONCRETE ATTITUDE (Christmas Challenge)

– Make some gesture or attitude of sensitivity and generosity with a family that will be alone or aged with no one to take care of them, or that will lack a member. Invite them to pray tomorrow or to Christmas Mass. Be a presence for them.

CONCLUDING PRAYER/BLESSING

A Prayer to Jesus in the MangerDear Baby Jesus, Our Lord and Saviour, You are descended from David, from Abraham; You have assumed our history, forming part of it. In the fullness of time, You wanted to be born of a woman and be one of us, to show us the great and beautiful value of having a Mother, a family, people of the same bloodline, with whom to share life, being loved and supported. Dear Baby Jesus, you who had a family, we beseech you to bless ours and grant that parents have feelings of self-giving, of love and affection, of interest and sensitivity, that they love each other and live for each other, and may this love be showered on the children at all times. Baby Jesus, bless every family and fill them with love and tenderness, as you had from your Blessed Mother and St. Joseph. Amen.

Fr. Chinaka: The Lord be with you
Participants: And with your Spirit

Through the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, may the Baby Jesus (Christ Our Lord) born in a stable at Bethlehem, bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Fr. Chinaka: Peace be with you
Participants: And with your Spirit

Shalom!
©Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, OSJ
Paroquia Nossa Senhora de Loreto, Vila Medeiros, São Paulo, Brazil
nozickcjoe@gmail.com / fadacjay@gmail.com

___________________________________

PS: Have you prayed your Rosary today? 

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Chinaka Justin Mbaeri

A staunch Roman Catholic and an Apologist of the Christian faith. More about him here.

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Vivian Oyih
Vivian Oyih
1 year ago

Amen

Ogaga
Ogaga
1 year ago

Thank you Jesus.
We pray that our intentions for today’s novena be answered according to God’s divine will and mercy.
Amen

Clementina
Clementina
1 year ago

Amen

Ndu-kanebi, Lauretta Chukwumalobim
Ndu-kanebi, Lauretta Chukwumalobim
1 year ago

Lord Jesus Christ, I pray that there be peace, love, joy, and happiness in all our families, as there was in yours. Amen.

May every home feel the tenderly joy you brought to Joseph and Mary through Christ our Lord. Amen

Uchenna Aham-Anyanwu
Uchenna Aham-Anyanwu
1 year ago

Amen

Chibbs
Chibbs
1 year ago

Amen!

Ngozi
Ngozi
1 year ago

Amen

Augustina Ayo-Ogbor
Augustina Ayo-Ogbor
1 year ago

May God help me to be obedient always, and grant my heart desires, Amen.

Uchenna Aham-Anyanwu
Uchenna Aham-Anyanwu
1 year ago

Amen

Miriam Akaakase
Miriam Akaakase
1 year ago

May God bless the work of our hands and give us a means of livily hood Amen

Uchenna Aham-Anyanwu
Uchenna Aham-Anyanwu
1 year ago

Amen

Sa'adatu Anne Akough
Sa'adatu Anne Akough
1 year ago

Amen

Ebi Okoh-Esene
Ebi Okoh-Esene
1 year ago

Amen

Bridget Ighodalo
Bridget Ighodalo
1 year ago

O God come to our aid, O lord make haste to help us

Uchenna Aham-Anyanwu
Uchenna Aham-Anyanwu
1 year ago

Amen and Amen.

Chinwe Ibe
Chinwe Ibe
1 year ago

Thank God for the gift of life and sound health. Father, I pray for a Life Partner so I can form my own Family like St Joseph and Mother Mary, Zechariah and Elizabeth with the mercy of God, oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for me who has recourses to Thee

Chinwe Ibe
Chinwe Ibe
1 year ago

Oh God, I beg of you, give me a testimony that shock the whole world so they will see Your glory and glorify You my Father in Heaven.

Ebubechukwu
Ebubechukwu
1 year ago

Amen

Lawrence Okonofua
Lawrence Okonofua
1 year ago

Divine Infant, may the lessons of deciding to come through a family of husband and wife not be lost on us!!!?

Christiana
Christiana
1 year ago

May God give us the grace to obey his instructions as Elizabeth and Zechariah did in Jesus name Amen

Amakabelle
Amakabelle
1 year ago

Testimonies are meant to be treasured in the heart!

The holy spirit had opened my eyes to this

God works in marvelous ways and wonder!

MICHAEL ABAH
MICHAEL ABAH
1 year ago

Amen and Amen

Angela Nnediuru Nwachukwu
Angela Nnediuru Nwachukwu
1 year ago

I am in Love with this group,it has improved my prayer life.I now know the importance of prayer in our lives

Mrs Nnodum
Mrs Nnodum
1 year ago

AMEN

Ifeyinwa
Ifeyinwa
1 year ago

Come Lord Jesus, come. We are waiting and desiring your presence and light. Bless our families, our friends, our work, and Nigeria with peace, justice, and love. Amen

SCHOLASTICA
SCHOLASTICA
1 year ago

This is Very beneficial and beautiful for the growth of the body and soul.

Leticia Otomewo
Leticia Otomewo
1 year ago

Thank You JESUS…….

Rumeh
Rumeh
1 year ago

Thank you lord for your mercy upon us.

Stella Ogbakpah
Stella Ogbakpah
1 year ago

Amen. May the Almighty God promote us in our jobs and also provide jobs for all those who are Unemployed, through the most blessed virgin Mary, st Joseph, and infant Jesus, Amen. Thanks Fr Chinaka. May the Almighty God continue to increase your anointing in Jesus name, Amen. Compliment of the season, Fr.

Kuyoro Paul
Kuyoro Paul
1 year ago

As neighbours and relatives came to rejoice with Elizabeth, may people come to rejoice with us before the end of this year

Nwosu Christiana
Nwosu Christiana
1 year ago

Baby King Christ Jesus, l present all hard working youths, especially my Girls, David Friday for a well paid jobs to help them take care of their needs and family.
Thank you Christ Jesus for those of us working, bless and prosper us in our jobs and keep safe from difficult and greedy Bosses, Amen!

Felicity
Felicity
1 year ago

Amen

Linda John Ojeyokan
Linda John Ojeyokan
1 year ago
Tonia
Tonia
1 year ago

Thank you Prince of peace for giving me joy, peace and gladness.

Thank you Padre Cjay. More grace strength, wisdom knowledge and understanding to continue to impart to our souls

Regina Ikpeni
Regina Ikpeni
1 year ago

May the the grant all families peace love joy and happiness during this season and always. Amen

Ven
Ven
1 year ago

Amen

Cathy-MarieJ
Cathy-MarieJ
1 year ago

Lord Jesus Christ, Lord, seeing how You gave Zacariah and Elizabeth the grace to generate life, to be parents in their old age, and how they knew how to respond to the invitation You made to them. I ask You to bless every father and mother of families with the grace of loving commitment and transmission of your merciful love to the world. May each family be a reflection of Your Family. May there be peace, love, joy, and happiness in all, as there was in yours. Amen.

Perpetua Ngosoo Chia
Perpetua Ngosoo Chia
1 year ago

May Our Blessed Mother Mary and St Joseph guardian of the Holy family through their intercession God grant our intentions in Jesus Precious name amen

Mary Marie
Mary Marie
1 year ago

Amen

Grace
Grace
1 year ago

Amen

Emilia
Emilia
1 year ago

May the almighty God grant our hearts desires, amen.

Emeka Odugu
Emeka Odugu
1 year ago

O Blessed Virgin and Mother, intercede for each one of us, ask your Son to help us live these days with the joy that you had in those moments of your Son’s birth.

Amen.

Chioma
Chioma
1 year ago

Dear Lord, grant us the grace to say yes to all YOUR bidding, at all time

UNKNOWN
UNKNOWN
1 year ago

Amen

Mkpuma Tochukwu
Mkpuma Tochukwu
1 year ago

Amen

Comfort
Comfort
1 year ago

We offer a sacrifice of obedience and praise unto God like Zacharias and Elizabeth

Dorothy Abaver
Dorothy Abaver
1 year ago

May the coming of our Lord bring us peace in abundance amen

Michael Umande
Michael Umande
1 year ago

Reflecting on the life of Zechariah and Elizabeth, one can see how devoted and committed this couples were. They were advanced in age and at some point, one of the them became mute. If it was the people of our times, they’ll begin to call this couples names. Elizabeth would have been tag a witch. But they were still faithful. Unknown to people, God was working in the background for them. And in the end, God prove to be faithful and came through for them. I dedicate this Novena for those who have lost hope and fallen into despair, may… Read more »

Amadi Linda
Amadi Linda
1 year ago

From our sins, infant Jesus, deliver us. Amen

Uzoegbu Oghenekome Henrietta
Uzoegbu Oghenekome Henrietta
1 year ago

May all our petitions be answered through Christ our Lord, Amen and Amen

Mojisola
Mojisola
1 year ago

Amen oooo

Adaeze
Adaeze
1 year ago

Amen

Chidimma Nwaeze
Chidimma Nwaeze
1 year ago

AMEN

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