The radiant face of the Lord our God for which Blessings and grace flows upon us came to dwell with us through a perfectly created woman of whom Emmanuel called mother. Fully man and fully God, He dwelled safely in her womb till it was time for the lifespring from whom living waters flow to enter into the world. Blessed among all women, Mary was gifted to us by Her Son our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ to be Mother of us all!
Loving mother who would have gladly laid down her life for her son, bore all sufferings and hardships in her heart; in loving sacrifice and obedience to the Will of God. Our dearest mother who now willingly bears all our sufferings when we turn to her. She will never abandon any of her children and lovingly intercedes for all us till we are reunited in Heaven.
Mother of God, our Blessed and dearest mother take our hands and lead us through the year and the years to come as we journey back to Your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen
First reading
Numbers 6:22-27
They are to call down my name on the sons of Israel, and I will bless them
The Lord spoke to Moses and said, ‘Say this to Aaron and his sons: “This is how you are to bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them:
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord uncover his face to you and bring you peace.”
This is how they are to call down my name on the sons of Israel, and I will bless them.’
Second reading
Galatians 4:4-7 ·
God sent his Son, born of a woman
When the appointed time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born a subject of the Law, to redeem the subjects of the Law and to enable us to be adopted as sons. The proof that you are sons is that God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts: the Spirit that cries, ‘Abba, Father’, and it is this that makes you a son, you are not a slave any more; and if God has made you son, then he has made you heir.
Gospel
Luke 2:16-21
The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found the baby lying in the manger
The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.
When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.
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