The Strenna Novena follows a traditional order of prayers, songs and reflections that guide Colombian families towards Christmas.
How to pray the novena of Christmas bonuses in 2025? The traditional order that guides Christmas in Colombia
The Novena of Strennaone of the most deeply rooted traditions of Christmas in Colombia, will once again bring together thousands of families between December 16 and 24, 2025. For nine consecutive nights, homes, neighborhoods and communities gather around the manger to pray, sing the joys and share typical foods, in a practice that prepares the spirit for the Christmas Eve and strengthens family ties.
This centuries-old custom not only marks the religious calendar, but also daily life in December. In the midst of the noise, the visits and the expectation of the end of the year, the novena becomes a space of pause, meeting and collective memorywhere the wait for the birth of the Child Jesus is lived gradually and consciously.
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An order that guides every night
Although each family adapts the novena in its own way, there is a traditional order which remains as a common reference and helps preserve the spiritual meaning of the celebration. The scheme begins with the persignationfollowed by a opening sentence that provides the atmosphere of retreat.
Then the Prayer for Every Daywhich is repeated every day and concentrates the intention of preparing the heart for Christmas. Next, the reading and consideration of the daya different reflection on each date that covers the moments and characters related to the birth of Jesus.
The central moment continues with the prayer to the Blessed Virgin and the prayer to Saint Josephasking for your intercession and guidance. Then the traditional ones arrive joys or aspirationssung or recited with the well-known refrain “Come to our souls, come don’t take so long”one of the most anticipated moments, especially by children.
The day ends with the prayer to Baby Jesusfollowed by a final prayer of thanksgiving and the song of carolswhich usually give way to sharing custard, buñuelos and bonuses.
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A tradition born in Colombia
The Ninth of Strenna It has a local origin. It emerged in the 18th century thanks to Sister Clemencia de Jesús Caicedowho promoted a pedagogical text to bring children closer to the meaning of the birth of Jesus. The sentences were written by Fray Fernando de Jesús Larrea and, over time, they spread throughout the country, adapting to each region and family.
Beyond the religious rite, the novena became a recurring scene of the collective memory: grandparents correcting the joys, children counting the days until Christmas and adults who, for a few minutes, return to childhood. The Church has reiterated that this exercise should not remain a mechanical repetition, but rather become a active standbyreflected in gestures of reconciliation, solidarity and encounter.
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Nine days to wait, one night to celebrate
Of the December 16 to 24each night has a different accent, but they all lead to the same purpose: to live Christmas as a process and not as a sudden event. He December 24 marks the closing of the ninth and the natural transition towards the Christmas Evefamily dinner and community celebration.
In 2025the Ninth of Strenna will continue to fulfill its silent but profound role: organize time, bring people together and remember that Christmas, in Colombia, you learn to wait step by step, night after night, in company.
