JANUARY 1, SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD (A, B, C) Lectionary #18
“Theotokos,” translated as “God-bearer” or “Mother of God,” is one of the most important titles given to Mary. It was also important in clarifying the church's belief that Jesus did not simply “become” God; he was divine from his conception. So this feast, which appears to be a feast of Mary, is actually a further clarification of the meaning of Christmas.

Numbers 6:22-27. To be able to name God and to use the divine name suggested an intimate connection between God and the people. The same intimacy should exist among all those who call themselves “Christians.”

Psalm of the Day: Ps (66) 67
This hymn of praise echoes phrases from the “blessing of Aaron” in the first reading; it calls on all the nations to praise God, who rules the whole world with justice.

May God Bless Us/El Señor Tenga Piedad (Alonso)   SS
May God Bless Us (Batastini/Gelineau)  WOR 783/RS 95/LPGG 785
May God Bless Us (Guimont)  GC 936/RS 94/LPMG 18
May God Bless Us (Kogut) PCY10 28
May God Bless Us (Kraehenbuehl)   PMB 573/WS 67/PRM A11
May God Bless Us (Schiavone)   JS 897/LP 27
O God, Be Gracious (Lee/Young)  CBW 36

Galatians 4:4-7. Because we are united to Christ, we can address God as “Abba,” the title that Jesus seemed to prefer to use. In fact, because Christ's spirit lives in us, we are children of God.

Luke 2:16-21. Most of this text is a reprise of the Gospel reading for Christmas Mass at Dawn, which connects this feast to Christmas. It continues with the account of Jesus' circumcision and his naming. “Jesus” is the Greek version of “Joshua,” which means “liberator” or “savior.”

Songs for the Liturgy

*A Blessing (1)  WC 743/WS 636/PMB 471
All Who Claim the Faith of Jesus (G)  RS 897
Ave Maria (G)  WOR 713/GC 772, 774/MI‑BB/RS 896, 898/GP 429/WC 951/PMB 532/JS 493, 504/WS 692/SS
Bwana Awabariki/May God Grant You a Blessing (1)  LMGM 155
Carol at the Manger (G)  GC 354/RS 516
Hail Mary: Gentle Woman (G)  GP 426/JS 489/GC 779/MI‑BB/WC 953/WS 688
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing (2)  WOR 387/JS 345/CBW 323/WC 470/GP 317/LMGM 13/BB 90/GC 356/RS 502/WS 360/PMB 199/SS
I Sing a Maid (G)  GC 777/CBW 462/RS 899
*Jesus Christ, Yesterday, Today and Forever (C)   RS 679/GC 730/WC 697/WS 507/SS
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming (G)  WOR 374/GP 320/LMGM 24/BB/JS 338/WC 476/GC 373/WS 352/PMB 210/SS
*Lord, Today (E)   RS 536/GC 385/GP 338
Magnificat/Canticle of Mary (2)  WOR 15, 87, 88, 534, 553/WC 208, 226, 437,438/MI‑BB/RS 17, 209, 210, 211, 656, 675/GP 163, 291, 292, 427, 428, 433, 434, 436/GC 13, 84, 522, 773, 782/CBW 14I, 575, 674, 675, 676, 677, 678/JS 11, 119, 120, 495, 501, 503, 505/PMB 9, 180, 181, 182/WS 29, 336/SS
Mary, Full of Grace (G)  MI‑BB
Mary, Woman of the Promise (2,G)  CBW 465/MI-BB/JS 496/SS
*May God Bless and Keep You (1,Ps)  JS 827/MI‑BB/GP 623/GC 577
*May God Bless You (1,Ps)  JS 566/MI‑BB/GP 467
*May the Lord, Mighty God (1,Ps)  RS 721
O Chosen One (2,G)  GP 435
O God, Our Help in Ages Past (New Year)  WOR 579/CBW 644/GP 613/LMGM 230/MI‑BB/JS 705/WC 815/GC 588/RS 735/WS 593/PMB 435/SS
O Holy Mary (G)  JS 494/MI‑BB
Of the Father's Love Begotten (2)  WOR 398/CBW 330/JS 349/WC 484/BB 96/GC 374/RS 510/BB/PMB 211/SS
Salamu Maria  LMGM 98
She Will Show Us the Promised One (G)  WC 964/PMB 539
Sing of Mary (G)  WOR 404/GP 432/LMGM 100/MI‑BB/JS 490/WC 962/GC 778/RS 528/WS 685/PMB 538/SS
Song of Mary   JS 498/MI-BB
Stainless the Maiden (G)  WC 954
The God Whom Earth and Sea and Sky (2,G)  WOR 405/CBW 464/MI‑BB/JS 514/SS
The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy (G)  GC 378/RS 501
There Is Nothing Told (G)  GP 431/MI‑BB/JS 502
Virgin Born, We Bow before You (G)  WOR 403/RS 527
What Child Is This (G)  WOR 411/CBW 338/GP 337/LMGM 29/BB/JS 365/WC 499/GC 387/RS 530/WS 362/PMB 216/SS