November 30 is the beginning of the St. Andrew Christmas Novena. What’s a novena and who is St Andrew and why a Christmas Novena you ask? Before I break all that down, let me point you to some lovely reading others have posted on the St. Andrew Christmas Novena. Sarah at Amongst Lovely Things has some of the best stories and posts on the internet concerning this novena. She also has beautiful pictures of the answer to her prayers. See those cute little twin boys–answered prayer.
*I’ve updated the printable and included a free desktop or mobile wallpaper with the prayer on it. Click here for the revised St. Andrew prayer.
As with many devotions in my life, I might have first heard of the St. Andrew Christmas Novena from Elizabeth Foss. And this year she has a free novena printable available this year.
Meadows of Grace has a beautiful St. Andrew Chaplet in her shop. (I’ve also been enjoying her Finer Femininity magazines.) And Ruth from the Tucker Bunch/Just Another Day in Paradise also makes a beautiful St Andrew Chaplet.
And finally, while we are looking at beautiful chaplets and rosaries, have you seen this beautiful one, Gifts for the King. That would make a lovely Christmas Gift or an Epiphany gift.
St. Andrew Christmas Novena
Click to print the St Andrew Christmas Novena Printable with space to list your intentions.
Back to the St Andrew Christmas Novena. First, what is a Novena? A novena is simply nine days of prayer. Although the St Andrew Christmas Novena begins November 30 and is said until Christmas Eve. But for a typical novena, “Why nine days?” Think back to the story of the Apostles and Mary waiting in the upper room after our Lord’s Ascension. They were instructed by our Lord to pray and wait for the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1) And although the Book of Acts does use the term “Novena” or “Nine days of prayer” here’s the timeline of events:
Ascension: Day 40, apostles go into prayer.
41 Pray – First day of prayer.
42 Pray – Day 2
43 Pray – Day 3
44 Pray – Day 4
45 Pray – Day 5
46 Pray – Day 6
47 Pray – Day 7
48 Pray – Day 8
49 Pray – Day 9
Pentecost: Holy Spirit descends
And again, why nine days? Aside from the obvious timeline of events, there is a constancy in prayer evident in committing to nine days. The scriptures tell us to pray without ceasing. Also, recall the story our Lord told of the persistent widow found in Luke 18. The widow was rewarded for her persistence. (Luke 18:7)
Who is St. Andrew and why do we pray to him? First, and most importantly, we are not praying to St. Andrew. We are remembering him as an Apostle of our Lord and seeking his intercession–although oddly, he is not even mentioned in this novena. Seeking the intercession of a saint or Mary, the Mother of Jesus can cause some confusion. But just like you may call me and ask me to pray for some intention you have: your husband getting a job, your mother’s medical tests, your joy in your home today…we ask the saints to do the same for us. And no, that is not praying to the dead as some my say. How many times do we say or hear someone say, “I know my granny is looking out for me from Heaven…I feel like my mom is watching over me through this trial…” Seeking the intercession of the saints is the same thing.
Why St. Andrew? Simply because November 30th is his feast day or the day we remember his death. Again, something we do all the time in our day to day with family and friends; we remember the day they were born and or the day they died. Again, although this called the St Andrew Christmas Novena, it being on his feast day, November 30 and is said until Christmas Eve.
I hope I have cleared up any confusion, questions or misconceptions you may have about the St Andrew Christmas Novena. Enjoy the printable with space to list your intentions and the other links I shared about this beautiful devotion.
Each day there is more encouragement and even some laughs over on my Facebook page. Head over and “Like” me there for more.
Aggie Romero says
what do i need to do if i miss a day of praying the St. Andrew Christmas Novena?
Jenny says
Keep on praying! You could add that day to another, you could do one extra day at the end. Or you could just keep on, the Lord knows your heart. Unless you were just like, “I’m not praying any prayers today!!!” The Lord gets it.
Janet says
I found your site while searching for an answer to this question: why is the prayer said 15 times a day? Thank you, and God bless you.
Jenny says
It feels like I knew a long time ago, lol! Just a tradition?
Janet says
Thank you for your reply. I came up with perhaps a reason. If we prayed it once every hour from 8am to 10 pm, that would be 15 times. Perhaps it is meant to keep us focused all day on Advent. ?? 🙂
Michelle says
Okay, so I am the worst novena person ever. That is to say that I’m forgetful and I’m easily overwhelmed by more than 3 of something. But God, in his specific love for me has always taken my “adapted versions” and I have tried not to think of them in a superstitious kind of way.
Even still, I thought this was a lovely novena and worthy of my effort.
I began on the 30th. The prayer is so moving and beautiful and especially the “piercing cold” part. There was a time growing up that we did not have a heat source other than the oven and one kerosene heater. I know piercing cold. It hurts.
When I got to the intention, there were too many to choose. I settled on, “Thy will be done Lord and that I may get out of the way of it.”
Then, my oldest beloved son was admitted to the emergency room (many miles away). With his permission, I spoke to his nurse and he was very reassuring. I asked if there was anything other than prayer that I could do at this time and he said no. He also said that he would do everything in his power to help my son and that he would be praying as well. To me this was unusual and I took it into my motherly heart as a reassurance of God’s divine providence.
The prayer I had prayed was already being tested. I knew that I had to let go and let God do His work.
The nurse? His name was Andrew.
Jenny says
I loved this story Michelle. I’m glad God the Father was able to tangibly show you how well your son was being cared for.
Janet says
I have one question but I want to say that I am not Catholic and I am trying to undersatand a bit of what you spoke about in your post. When I pray I go straight to the throne room of the Lord and I pray in Jesus name. Do you believe that as well? I guess I am not sure of the Saints if you can talk directly to Jesus. I would love more of an explanation not really a debate of your beliefs or the Catholic Church. Just curious. Thanks for any help in this area. Have a beautiful evening!
Jenny says
Absolutely Janet! I absolutely go straight to God in Jesus name. I also seek the intercession of those who have gone before me and are already there.
Here’s one example of seeking the intercession of the saints–Let’s say one day one of my children wants to go get ice cream. Of course my child could go straight to their dad, but instead this child came to me first to see if I wanted to go and if I would ask dad. Not only did this child consider strength in numbers (Spiritually speaking, “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name…or…A three strand cord is not easily broken…”) This child also figured if momma went to daddy, that would help their cause. Mom may know a better way to ask, or be more persuasive. Now obviously this is an imperfect analogy because we don’t sway God, but just as we say we know our mom or grandma or best friend is helping us out in heaven, so are the saints. We figure it’s because they are right there with God all the time. Their love and care for us and wanting the best for those of us still on earth is the same as the saints of God who love and care for us as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Does that make any sense? Remember, I’m not a theologian and I hope I didn’t confuse you. But I do know if I asked you to pray for me, or vice versa, we would pray for each other, just like the saints before us will will intercede for us.
Janet says
I will think on this explanation and I thank you for such a quick response!!
Jenny says
Thank you for the beautiful printable – I’m adding it to my prayer binder this year!!