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. The title is 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. This day is also the World Day of Prayer for Peace.
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 is true of 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 PSL 21/SS
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 66/GC2 936/RS 94/LPMG 18
May God Bless Us (Kogut) PCY10 28
May God Bless Us (Kraehenbuehl) PMB 573/WS 65/PRM B12
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/PMB 471
*A Light Will Shine (E) PSL 13/SS
All Who Claim the Faith of Jesus (G) RS 897
Ave Maria (G) WOR 713/GC 785, 789/GC2 772, 774/MI‑BB/RS 896, 898/GP 429/WC 951/PMB 532/JS 493, 504/WS/SS
Bwana Awabariki/May God Grant You a Blessing (1) LMGM 155
Carol at the Manger (G) GC 369/GC2 354/RS 51
Child of Mercy (G) RS 506/GC 357/GC2 368/SS
*Hail, Holy Mother (E) IH 10
Hail Mary: Gentle Woman (G) GP 426/JS 489/GC 782/GC2 779/MI‑BB/WC 953/WS
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing (2) WOR 387/JS 345/CBW 323/WC 470/GP 317/LMGM 13/BB/GC 348/GC2 356/RS 502/WS/PMB 199/SS
I Sing a Maid (G) GC 781/GC2 777/CBW 462/RS 899
*Jesus Christ, the Same (C) PSL 22/SS
*Jesus Christ, Yesterday, Today and Forever (C) RS 679/GC 745/GC2 730/WC 697/WS/SS
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming (G) WOR 374/GP 320/LMGM 24/BB/JS 338/WC 476/GC 368/GC2 373/WS/PMB 210/SS
*Lord, Today (E) RS 536/GC 375/GC2 385/GP 338/WS
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 14, 145, 146, 534, 788/GC2 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/PSL 8/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/GC 589
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 614/GC2 588/RS 735/WS/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/GC 351/GC2 374/RS 510/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 783/GC2 778/RS 528/WS/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 345/GC2 378/RS 501/HG 21
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 380/GC2 387/RS 530/WS/PMB 216/SS