A Novena is nine days' private or public devotion in the Catholic Church to obtain special graces. The Christmas Novena is a Novena of Preperation. It has its origin in the nine months Our Lord was in His Blessed Mother's womb from the Incarnation to the Nativity.

The nine days of Preperation begin on December 16.

But for every novena of preparation, as also for every novena of prayer, not only the best explanation but also the best model and example was given by Christ Himself to the Church in the first Pentecost novena. He Himself expressly exhorted the Apostles to make this preparation. And when the young Church had faithfully persevered for nine full days in it, the Holy Ghost came as the precious fruit of this first Christian novena for the feast of the establishment and foundation of the Church.

Christmas Novena HAIL, and blessed be the hour and moment At which the Son of God was born Of a most pure Virgin At a stable at midnight in Bethlehem In the piercing cold At that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, To hear my prayers and grant my desires (mention request[s] here). Through Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother.