Mary, The Holy Mother of God

Numbers 6:22-27 (JB)

A reading from the book of Numbers

They will call down my name on the children 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.’

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Numbers 6:22-27 (NRSV)

A reading from the book of Numbers.

The Lord spoke to Moses:

“Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying,

‘Thus you shall bless the Israelites:

You shall say to them,

“‘The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face to shine upon you,

and be gracious to you;

the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,

and give you peace.’

“So they shall put my name on the Israelites,

and I will bless them.”

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Ps 66:2-3, 5, 6, 8 (JB)

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

God, be gracious and bless us

and let your face shed its light upon us.

So will your ways be known upon earth

and all nations learn your saving help. R.

Let the nations be glad and exult

for you rule the world with justice.

With fairness you rule the peoples.

you guide the nations on earth. R.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;

let all the peoples praise you.

May God still give us his blessing

till the ends of the earth revere him. R.

Galatians 4:4-7 (JB)

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Galatians

When the appointed time came, 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.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Galatians 4:4-7 (NRSV)

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Galatians.

When the fullness of time had come,

God sent his Son, born of a woman,

born under the law,

in order to redeem those who were under the law,

so that we might receive adoption as children.

And because you are children,

God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying,

“Abba! Father!”

So you are no longer a slave but a child,

and if a child then also an heir, through God.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Hebrews 1:1-2 (JB)

Alleluia, alleluia!

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;

now he speaks to us through his Son.

Alleluia!

Hebrews 1:1-2 (NRSV)

Alleluia, alleluia!

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;

now God speaks to us through the Son.

Alleluia!

Luke 2:16-21 (JB)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

The shepherds found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the crib …When the eighth day came they gave him the name of Jesus.

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.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 2:16-21 (NRSV)

A reading from the holy gospel according to Luke.

When the angels had left them

the shepherds said to one another,

“Let us go now to Bethlehem

and see this thing that has taken place,

which the Lord has made known to us.”

So they went with haste

and found Mary and Joseph,

and the child lying in the manger.

When they saw this,

they made known what had been told them about this child;

and all who heard it were amazed

at what the shepherds told them.

But Mary treasured all these words

and pondered them in her heart.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God

for all they had heard and seen,

as it had been told them.

After eight days had passed,

it was time to circumcise the child;

and he was called Jesus,

the name given by the angel

before he was conceived in the womb.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.