Jesus Christ, A CHRISTMAS GIFT, God’s love for us
For the Advent Novena in preparation for Christmas, the themes and reflections are based on the hymn composed by St Alphonsus de Liguori, “Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle”, a well-loved Italian Christmas carol, the English translation, “From starry skies descending.”
Date
Individual Theme
Readings
26 October 2024
Annunciation – Trust in God (天使报喜，信从天主)
From starry skies descending in winter’s icy sting (祢从星空降下，在冰雪寒冷的山洞)
2 November 2024
Birth – The Light of the World (诞生，世界的光)
O my dearest Child most holy (我亲爱的至圣婴孩)
9 November 2024
God Loves me – Love Humanity in Service (天主爱我 – 关爱服务人类)
Great God, Thou lovest me! (伟大的天主，祢爱我)
16 November 2024
Our Longing for the Christ Child – The Centre of our Life (渴望基督婴孩，我们生活的中心)
Dearest, fairest, sweetest Infant that I may be near thee (至圣至善的小婴孩，让我亲近祢)
23 November 2024
Salvation for All – Eternal Life (拯救所有人，以获得永生)
What suff’ring Thou didst bear (受了多大的苦)
30 November 2024
The Word – Lives within us (圣言 – 住在我们中间)
God’s own and true Word; (天主自己和真实的圣言)
The First Candle of Advent wreath: Hope; 将临圈第一根蜡烛：希望
7 December 2024
Humility – That we may be rich (谦卑 – 为使我们富有)
Will’st now so poor to be. A manger low thy bed; dire this state of poverty. (因爱使祢贫穷，以马槽为床，竟安贫至此)
The Second Candle of Advent wreath: Peace; 将临圈第二根蜡烛：平安
14 December 2024
Creator – Universal Creator (创造者 – 宇宙的创造者)
Thou art the world’s Creator (祢是世界的创造者)
The Third Candle of Advent wreath: Joy; 将临圈第三根蜡烛：喜乐
21 December 2024
Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love of Christmas (圣诞的希望、平安、喜乐和爱)
Thou comest, glorious King, For Thee, Divine Lord (光荣的君王来了，我至圣的主)
The Fourth Candle of Advent wreath: Love; 将临圈第四根蜡烛：爱
The Fifth Candle of Advent wreath: Christ; 将临圈第五根蜡烛：基督
Date: 29 October 2022
Individual Theme: John the Baptist
Readings: He [Jesus] must increase; I must decrease. John 3:30
Date: 5 November 2022
Individual Theme: Zechariah
Readings: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people. He has raised up a horn for our salvation within the house of David his servant,……to show us mercy to our fathers. Luke 1:68-72
Date: 12 November 2022
Individual Theme: Elizabeth
Readings: And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me. Luke 1:43
Date: 19 November 2022
Individual Theme: Anna
Readings: Anna was a widow at the age of eight-four…… Luke 2: 37,38
Date: 26 November 2022
Individual Theme: Simeon
Readings: Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace… Luke 2:29,30
Date: 3 December 2022
Individual Theme: Shepherds
Readings: Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them….you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in manger. Luke 2:8-12
Date: 10 December 2022
Individual Theme: Magi
Readings: Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage….They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Matthew 2:1-11
Date: 17 December 2022
Individual Theme: Joseph
Readings: Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid…Matthew 1:20,21,24
Date: 24 December 2022
Individual Theme: Mary
Readings: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Luke 1:42
