And so begins "the Christmas novena", as it is known:
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 piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother.
Amen.
Imprimatur: +MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York, New York, February 6, 1897.
(It is piously believed that whoever recites this prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of Saint Andrew on November 30th until Christmas will obtain what is asked.)
Saint Andrew, pray for us.
