January 1 2024

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

1st Reading – Numbers 6:22-27

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

“Say to Aaron and his sons: Thus shall you bless the sons of Israel, and you shall say to them:

‘May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord reveal his face to you and take pity on you.

May the Lord turn his countenance toward you and grant peace to you.’

And they shall invoke my name over the sons of Israel, and I will bless them.”

Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

2nd Reading – Galatians 4:4-7

Brothers and sisters:

When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law:

That he might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption as sons.

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father.

So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God.

Alleluia – Hebrews 1:1-2

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel – Luke 2:16-21

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.

And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child.

And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.