St. Andrew Novena - Prepare for Christmas with Prayer and Love!

Greetings in Jesus and Mary.....

Sorry I have been busy and away from doing articles. I pray all had a very Blessed Thanksgiving! We are currently getting around 20-24 inches of snow here in northern Michigan to be finished falling  in about 4 days. Currently about 10 now on the ground. 

I have been consumed in prayer for those poor people in Northern Carolina. Looks like our government is complicit in this devastation ....if not directly...then with their lack of help. There is talk about possible lithium mining that could be done in those parts when it is cleared away and after many have lost their lives and their land. Time will tell. The beauty in all of this is that many people of faith have come together to donate so many things to keep these people fed and warm during these cold months coming. The numbers of people still missing are many and come Spring....there could be health issues of the dead bodies that are decaying around them that are somewhat still buried in the rubble.  The numbers reported so far seem to be minimal (just like in Lahaina, Hawaii) compared to the real numbers of dead. The government is minimalizing this. The numbers keep growing as the living conditions are not good with no fresh water, food and proper housing and sanitation. Please consider donating what you can after listening to the video below that I have posted. These sweet girls in North Carolina have posted many ways for people to  donate at the bottom of their video.

Now to the topic of the day, The St. Andrew Novena in preparation of Christmas. This Novena is well known and is also known to bring many miracles over the years that it has been known. It is a great way to keep focused on the fact of the amazing gift of the baby Jesus from the Eternal Father to all of us. The words of this prayer give us a reality of what Jesus went through from the beginning of His birth. He embraced a life of poverty, love and simplicity for us to imitate. We should be aware of this as we celebrate this Christmas knowing that so many are suffering around the world. May we still be festive but at least possibly consider sharing with those who do not have basic necessities.

This Novena is suppose to be prayed 15 times a day. I have never stuck to that number. Blessed be those who have. I try throughout my day to remember to pray it at various times to bring to my mind the greatness of this glorious moment of Christmas. I think the number was set to emphasize this.....that we are to ponder this moment throughout the day. So if you do not get to the number 15.....do not be discouraged and better yet...do not even expect to get there. Just remember to pray it throughout your day till Christmas as a constant meditation of the Birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. May we do this in union with Our Lady and ask Her to intercede for your needs and those around you.

Also, yesterday started the Novena to the Immaculate Conception which we celebrate on Dec. 8th. May we just add this little but powerful prayer at the end of our St. Andrew Novena Prayer ..."Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee. Amen."

May we pray from our hearts and not be so particular about "doing it" as praying it. God wants our love and if we are human with human needs that lead to times of possible neglect......don't be hard on yourself, but offer this to the Heart of Jesus....He understands. If it increases our love....that is what matters.

Have a Blessed Advent and keep all in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!
May Good St. Joseph pray for us to be attentive to our prayer life of love!

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St. Andrew Prayer

Help for North Carolina Hurricane Victims