(Syriac: Soboorey, “Happy Announcements”)
The pre-Christmas Cycle has six Sundays, which all focus on
the unfolding revelation of the Birth of the Messiah, in the context of the
human relatives of Jesus. In this season, there are no particular Maronite
customs practiced until immediately before Christmas. Nine days before the
Feast (beginning on December 16th and concluding on December 24th)
the Maronite Church offers its Novena with voluntary fasting, commemorating the
nine months that Jesus was in the womb of Mary (Captivated by Your Teachings, Fr. Anthony Salim).
Below is an excerpt from the Maronite Christmas Novena:
We have offered you, O
Wonderful Child and only-begotten Son, the perfume of our incense, the desires
of our hearts, the submission of our souls, the adoring reverence of our
bodies, and the prayers of our lips. May this be a proper preparation for your
pure Nativity. May we be found worthy, on that holy day, for you to dwell in us
through the Mystery of your Sacred Body and Blood, as you dwelt in your
mother’s womb for nine months. May we be enlightened by the announcement of
your holy angels, as were the humble shepherds. May we worship you with true
spiritual adoration, as did the Blessed Magi, when we offer you not gold,
frankincense and myrrh, but faith, hope and warm love. May these virtues
flourish in us and bring forth good works pleasing to your will. To you be
glory and thanks, to your Blessed Father, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
Below are verses 1 and 2 of the well-known Maronite
Christmas Hymn, God Sent His Only Son, (Arabic:
Arsal Allah):
God sent his only Son
from the heavens to the earth as the Light for all the world. God’s Word has
hid himself in the Virgin Mary’s womb, and from her, he took his flesh. His
star was seen on high, shining brightly in the East, as foretold in Balaam’s
words. Wise men, led by the star to the place where Jesus lay, honored him with
finest gifts. Halel. Halel. Halelloonoh!
This child Isaiah
called “Wonderful and mighty God” and proclaimed him as the Lord: “Upon his
shoulders rest full authority and power over all the universe”. In truth, he is
the Word and the Voice of God above, roaring with a lion’s strength. Yet, as a
gentle lamb, silently and peacefully, he now dwells in Mary’s womb. Halel.
Halel. Halelloonoh!