November 30th is the pivotal date for the beginning of Advent, starting the Sunday closest to November 30th, which, of course, is the feast day of Saint Andrew. Today marks the beginning of the traditional Advent devotion of the Saint Andrew Christmas Novena.
The following prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for His coming.
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 the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.
Prayer is an essential part of Advent.
