CHRISTMAS NOVENA – “ERO CRAS” - d. fabio rosini - lapartemigliore.org CHRISTMAS NOVENA - December 24 SKYLIGHT before (or instead of) Vespers - Begin with the sign of the cross P. Behold, the fullness of time has come: A. God has sent his Son into the world (cf. Gal 4:4). LIGHTING THE LAMP Reader: The lit lamp is the sign of joyful waiting for the Lord, this waiting illuminates the path and indicates the way that leads to Him. The candle is lit - while it is lit it is said: Watch, the bridegroom will not delay; if you are ready, he will open for you. Begin Vespers OR: only from the Antiphon to the Magnificat onwards. Ant. to the Magnificat: WHEN THE SUN RISES, YOU WILL SEE THE KING OF KINGS: AS THE BRIDEGROOM FROM THE BRIDAL ROOM HE COMES TO THE FATHER. My soul magnifies the Lord * and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. * From now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Almighty has done great things for me * and holy is his name; his mercy * is on those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; * he has scattered the proud in the conceit of their hearts; he has put down the mighty from their thrones, * and exalted the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he has sent empty away. He has helped his servant Israel, * in memory of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our fathers, * to Abraham and to his descendants, forever. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen. Ant. to the Magn: WHEN THE SUN RISES, YOU WILL SEE THE KING OF KINGS: AS THE BRIDEGROOM FROM THE BRIDAL CHAMBER HE COMES FROM THE FATHER. INTERCESSION We adore Christ, who humbled himself, taking the condition of a servant, and became like us in all things except sin. Let our prayer rise to him: Through the mystery of your birth, save us, O Lord. Entering history, you opened the new era foretold by the prophets, make your Church flourish again in everlasting youth. You wanted to clothe our mortal condition, be light to the blind, strength to the weak, comfort to the suffering. You were born in the humility of the manger, look upon the poor of the world and give prosperity and peace to all. You brought men the glad tidings of salvation, make the hope of a new birth in your kingdom shine in the eyes of the dying. You came down to earth to raise us to heaven; gather our deceased brothers and sisters with you in glory. OUR FATHER and other prayers of your choice PRAYER O God, who every year makes us live this Christmas Eve in joy, grant that we may look without fear, when he comes as judge, upon Christ your Son whom we welcome in celebration as our Redeemer. He is God, and he lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. May the Lord bless us, preserve us from all evil, and lead us to eternal life. ℞ Amen.