The Christmas Novena enters a particularly profound moment with its fourth day, celebrated on December 19. In thousands of homes, parishes, and community spaces, this day is experienced as a clear invitation to look inward, to place prayer above the rush of daily life, and to allow the example of the Child Jesus to transform the way faith and daily life are understood.
Although the tradition is deeply rooted in Colombia and in Latin American communities in Europe, the content of Day 4 of the Christmas Novena connects with any believer: it focuses on trusting submission to the will of God , on the radical humility of Jesus from the womb of Mary, and on the idea that authentic prayer depends not so much on words as on inner disposition.
A day marked by the obedience and humility of the Child Jesus
The meditation for the fourth day reminds us that, from within Mary's womb , the Child Jesus already lived in total surrender to the Father. This is not merely a pious image, but a theological perspective: it presents Christ accepting human weakness, limitations, and hardships as a way to atone for the pride of all humanity.
The traditional text emphasizes that Jesus, even in that hidden and fragile state, worshipped the eternal Father and submitted to his will without reservation. This attitude is presented as a direct contrast to the resistance that most people have in the face of suffering, renunciation, or the loss of control over their own lives.
Therefore, Day 4 invites us to reflect on the extent to which believers are willing to accept God's will "unconditionally ," even when it involves humiliation or discomfort. This reflection suggests that pride and the need for recognition are at the root of many mistakes and personal conflicts.
The spiritual proposal is clear: to learn from the Child Jesus to "empty oneself" before God, ceasing to live focused on constant self-affirmation, so that God occupies the real center of existence.
How to pray Day 4 of the Christmas Novena
In practice, Day 4 maintains the classic structure of the Novena to the Christ Child , which is repeated every night from December 16th to 24th. Although each family or community can adapt the sequence, the most common order is fairly uniform.
The usual practice, both in Colombia and among Latin American communities settled in Spain and other European countries, is to follow a very specific scheme that makes it easy for everyone to participate, even those who are joining the tradition for the first time.
Traditional order of prayer on Day 4 (December 19)
The most common order of prayer for the Novena on this fourth day is usually the following, with slight variations according to local or parish customs:
- Initial blessingThe meeting begins in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, asking for God's presence in the meeting.
- Prayer for every day: common text to the nine days, in which thanks are given to God for sending his Son and it is asked that the heart become a dwelling place for the Child Jesus.
- Personal reflection for Day 4: meditation focused on the Jesus' inner submission and obedience from his Mother's womb.
- Prayer to the Virgin MaryShe is begged to prepare the souls of those who pray the novena just as she herself prepared for the birth of her Son.
- Prayer to Saint Joseph: We are asked to imitate their silent faith, their trust and their protection of the Holy Family and our homes today.
- Prayer of the Joys: songs or recitations in honor of the Christ Child, with the refrain that implores his coming.
- Prayer to the Child JesusPersonal and community requests and needs are presented, recalling Jesus' promise about the merits of his childhood.
- Carol singing and a time for fellowship: the prayers conclude with Christmas carols and a space for sharing.
In many homes, the custom persists of the eldest person or host setting the pace for the prayers, while children and young people take charge of the carols and hymns. This dynamic helps ensure that the tradition is passed down from generation to generation without losing its essence.
The prayer for every day: basis of the fourth day
Before focusing on the specific reflection for December 19, the Novena always proposes a common prayer for the nine days . In it, we recall that God, out of pure charity, gave his Son to the world “made man in the womb of a Virgin,” born in a manger to heal and save.
The core of this prayer is an act of thanksgiving and offering: it acknowledges the “sovereign gift” of Jesus’ birth and, in return, presents to God the poverty, humility, and virtues of the incarnate Christ . It also asks that hearts be filled with intense love and genuine detachment from purely earthly things , so that the Child may “have his cradle within them and dwell there eternally.”
According to tradition, after this prayer, the Gloria is usually recited three times as a sign of praise to the Trinity, or, in some family variations, several Hail Marys. Although there are slight differences, the meaning is the same: to acknowledge the greatness of God and His presence in history.
Day 4 Reflection: Prayer that comes from silence
Today's meditation focuses on a very specific idea: the Child Jesus prays in silence . He does not speak, he does not deliver long speeches, but his very acceptance of his state—small, limited, dependent—is presented as the most perfect form of prayer.
This reflection suggests that, while the human mind tends to associate prayer only with elaborate phrases, chants, or emotional expressions, what is decisive is the intention with which each situation is experienced . In the case of Jesus, his state of weakness, embraced willingly to honor the Father, becomes a continuous supplication.
This fourth day, therefore, invites us to rethink many things: the faithful are encouraged to join in the “deep dejection” of the Child God , adopting an attitude of surrender that renounces vainglory, the obsession with one's own greatness —even spiritual— and the need to stand out.
The words of the reflection are especially direct when they call for “ disappearing from our own eyes so that God may be all .” This phrase summarizes the heart of the message: authentic prayer is not so much about showing off before God as it is about making room for his action, accepting even what is difficult or uncomfortable.
Prayer to the Virgin Mary: ask for her same inner disposition
Following the meditation of Day 4, the Novena turns its gaze to the Virgin Mary , presented as a model of humility and availability. The text calls her “Sovereign Mary” and recalls that it was precisely because of her humility that God chose her as the Mother of his Son.
In this prayer, she is asked to prepare and dispose the souls of those participating in the Novena, in a manner similar to how she prepared for the birth of Jesus. The tone is trusting and intimate: she is asked to share some of her inner recollection and divine tenderness , so that we may not be unworthy to see, love, and adore the Child.
In many homes and parishes, it is customary to complete this prayer with several Hail Marys —three, nine, or another number depending on the specific tradition. Beyond the number, what is important is that this moment focuses devotion on Mary as the sure path to Christ.
Prayer to Saint Joseph: the silent guardian of the Child
Day 4 also reserves a special place for St. Joseph , described as “husband of Mary and adoptive father of Jesus.” The prayer thanks him for having been chosen for “such high ministries” and, at the same time, acknowledges the gifts with which God adorned him to fulfill that mission.
He is specifically asked to kindle in those who pray the Novena a burning desire to see and receive the Child , both sacramentally and, in Christian hope, in the eternal vision of heaven. Joseph thus appears as an example of faith that acts without fanfare, of silent obedience , and of absolute fidelity.
In devotional practice, this prayer is often followed by the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be . It is a way of linking the figure of Joseph with the official prayer of the Church, integrating his model into the whole of Christian life.
The Joys: a collective cry for the coming of the Christ Child
If there's one moment that children especially look forward to each night, it's the hymns of the Christmas Novena . They aren't just recited: they're sung, accompanied by clapping, simple instruments, and, in many families, by little improvised dances that bring closeness and joy.
On Day 4, the traditional verses are maintained, invoking the Child Jesus under various biblical images : “Supreme Wisdom”, “Light of the East”, “King of the nations”, “Key of David”, “Mirror without stain”… Each one underlines a different theological trait, but all converge on the same petition.
The heart of the Gozos lies in the refrain, which has been engraved in the collective memory of generations:
“Come into our souls, Jesus, come, do not delay so long,” a simple plea that sums up the desire for Christ to be born again in personal and family life.
In addition to their spiritual content, the Gozos fulfill a very clear social function: they help the little ones to get involved , learn the letters, lose their shyness and feel that they are an active part of the celebration, not just as spectators.
Prayer to the Child Jesus: entrusting his needs and hopes
The final part of the prayer for Day 4 (and for every day of the Novena) includes a prayer addressed directly to the Child Jesus . It recalls a promise attributed to the revelations made to Venerable Margaret of the Blessed Sacrament: “Whatever you wish to ask, ask it through the merits of my childhood and nothing will be denied you . ”
Relying on these words, the faithful approach Jesus with confidence, laying bare their misery, worries, and sufferings , and asking for his help in leading a holy life. Their petition focuses not only on specific problems, but also on the grace necessary to attain a “blessed eternity.”
This final part of the Novena is usually observed with particular devotion: many people take the opportunity to pray silently for their families, for the sick, for financial difficulties , or for situations of conflict, both personal and social. The text concludes with an act of total surrender to the omnipotent Child, convinced that their hope will not be disappointed.
Christmas carols and everyday life: the other side of Day 4
Once the prayers are finished, the atmosphere usually changes tone, maintaining the spiritual feeling but with a more festive feel. It is common for the fourth day—like the rest of the Novena—to conclude with traditional Christmas carols such as “Silent Night,” “The Fish in the River,” “Tutaina,” “Little Donkey from the Savannah,” or “Bell Over Bell.”
These songs serve a dual purpose: on the one hand, they reinforce the meaning of the Christmas mystery (the joy of Jesus' birth, the shepherds' adoration, the presence of Mary and Joseph); on the other, they strengthen family and community bonds . Between songs, anecdotes, laughter, good-natured jokes, and holiday plans are often shared.
In many neighborhoods, apartment blocks or housing developments —both in Latin American cities and in communities in Spain and other parts of Europe—, the Novena de Aguinaldos becomes a space for open coexistence : neighbors are invited, typical sweets are shared, and small acts of solidarity are made with those who need it most.
Although the liturgy is simple, the social and emotional impact is evident: Day 4, with its call to humility and trusting abandonment, is also experienced as an opportunity to slow down the pace of shopping and commitments and recover the most human and spiritual meaning of Christmas.
Taken as a whole, this fourth day of the Christmas Novena links doctrine, prayer and daily life : it proposes contemplating the Child Jesus in silence, renouncing pride, letting oneself be guided by Mary and Joseph, crying out with the Joys for his coming and ending the night singing and sharing, in a simple way, that faith that gives foundation to the Christmas celebration.
