# The Christmas Novena – Fourth Day
*2008-12-16*

> Bill Young reflects on the Annunciation of Mary, reading Luke’s Gospel and offering prayers for her intercession as part of the Christmas novena.

## Opening Prayer

Good morning. This is Bill Young, welcome to the 259th episode of Catholic Podcast Ministries, Prayer and Lunch. In the name of the Father, and of His Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen. O God, come to my aid; O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, and to His Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

## The Annunciation (Luke 1:26‑33)

The fourth day of our Christmas novena, December 18th, commemorates the Annunciation of Mary. The Gospel according to Luke tells us that in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel said to her, “Rejoice, you are favored by God. The Lord is with you.”

Mary was deeply troubled by these words and asked herself, “What does this greeting mean?” The angel answered, “Mary, do not be afraid. You have found favor with God. You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and his reign will have no end.”

## Prayer to the Blessed Virgin

O God, in your infinite majesty, the Immaculate Virgin accepted your unchangeable word through the annunciation of the angel and became the living temple of God, enlightened by the Holy Spirit. We ask that she, who was worthy to bear Christ—God and man—in her holy and pure womb, may protect the faithful through her intercession. Through Christ our Lord, amen.

## Our Father and Hail Mary

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

## Closing Doxology

Glory be to the Father, and to His Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

*May Mary’s “yes” to God inspire us to trust His plan and bring Christ’s peace into our lives.*