St. Andrew Christmas Novena
The St. Andrew Christmas Novena, also called the Christmas Anticipation Prayer, is a short prayer said fifteen times a day during Advent. It begins on the feast of St. Andrew, November 30. Its origins are uncertain, but it has been a popular American devotion for generations.
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Key takeaways
- Pray one short prayer 15 times a day, from November 30 to Christmas.
- In 2026 it runs from Monday, November 30 to Thursday, December 24.
- It is a popular Advent devotion, though it is not an official Church novena.
The prayer for every day
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 (name your intention), through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.
How to pray it
Every day, 15 times
Name your intention before the first recitation.
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 (name your intention), through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.
Closing prayer
Fifteen repetitions take about ten minutes. Many people split them into morning, midday and evening.
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Start praying with Rosary & MercyQuestions people ask
Who wrote the St. Andrew Christmas Novena?
The author is unknown. The prayer is a popular devotion, not an official prayer of the Church. It is often printed in prayer cards and parish bulletins.
Why 15 times a day?
There is no official reason. The number is part of the custom. Some link it to the fifteen mysteries of the traditional Rosary.
When does it end?
Most printings say Christmas Day. Counting from November 30 to December 24 gives 25 days; the last day varies by source, so either end date is fine.
Is it a real novena?
Not in the strict sense, since a novena lasts nine days. The name is used popularly, and the prayer is a long Advent preparation instead.
Keep praying
Sources: Luke 2:1-20 · Catechism of the Catholic Church 522-526 · USCCB