# Ninth Day of the Christmas Novena: The Census and the Journey to Bethlehem
*2015-12-24*

> Bill Young reflects on the ninth day of the Christmas novena, focusing on the census that sent Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus.

## Opening Prayer

Good evening, this is Bill Young and welcome to the Prayer and Lunch podcast. We are completing our novena in preparation for Christmas, day nine, titled “The Census and the Journey to Bethlehem.”

Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. Amen.

## Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1‑5

From the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 2, verses 1‑5:

“Now it happened that at this time Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the whole inhabited world. This first census took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone went to his own town to be registered.”

Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee and traveled to Judea, to the town of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and line of David, in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

## The Birth of the Savior

While they were there, the time came for Mary to give birth. She bore a son, her firstborn, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

We pray: “O God, Savior of the world, Redeemer of all people, who became hidden in the flesh of Mary, we adore you now, who came to dwell among us. We honor your two natures, divine and human, and we sing hymns of praise to you, Lord, now and forever. Amen.”

## Our Prayers

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

Lord, be praised, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. Amen. May God bless you all as we await Christmas Eve, the celebration of the birth of the Son of God, our baby Jesus.

*The census that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem reminds us that God’s plan often works through ordinary history to bring the Savior into the world.*