The Woman at the Crib

First Reading: Numbers 6:22-27

The LORD said to Moses, " Say to Aaron and his sons, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: 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 shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them."

Psalm: Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8

Second Reading: Galatians 4:4-7

But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir.

Gospel: Luke 2:16-21

And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Reflection

By Pietro S. Albano

Today's feast celebrates the Church's recognition of Mary as Theotokos (God-bearer or Mother of God). The earliest feast honoring Mary under such title was in the sixth century. It was only after Vatican Council II that the feast was universally celebrated on the 1st of January. Pope Paul VI wrote:

In the revised arrangement of the Christmas season, we should all turn with one mind to the restored solemnity of the Mother of God. This feast was entered into the calendar in the liturgy of the city of Rome for the first day of January. The purpose of the celebration is to honor the role of Mary in the mystery of salvation and at the same time to sing the praises of the unique dignity thus coming to "the Holy Mother...through whom we have been given the gift of the Author of life." This same solemnity also offers an excellent opportunity to renew the adoration rightfully to be shown to the newborn Prince of Peace, as we once again hear the good tidings of great joy and pray to God, through the intercession of the Queen of Peace, for the priceless gift of peace. Because of these considerations and the fact that the octave of Christmas coincides with a day of hope, New Year's Day, we have assigned to it the observance of the World Day of Peace (Paul VI, Marialis Cultus, Feb. 2, 1974, no.5).

Eight days after the Lord's Birth, we turn to that woman at the crib who, as the Gospel says, "...kept all these things, pondering them in her heart." What was she keeping and pondering in her heart? Perhaps she was calling to mind what the Lord has done for her, what the angel told her, how she was blessed when she visited Elizabeth, how she and Joseph faced their trial together. Above all, she had in mind the child that she bore and gave birth to.

This attitude of Mary is not distant from our own as we welcome the New Year, as we pray for World Peace.  Instead of being fearful, let's look forward to 2013 with hope. Instead of being doubtful and sad, let's face the New Year with thanksgiving and rejoicing.  If the Lord was with us in 2012 - in the many ups and downs we encountered - He, who is faithful, will surely be with us in 2013.

The Infant Jesus we adored and welcomed at Christmas points us to His Mother - to be our companion, to be our friend, to be our Mother. Like the Lord, let's live under her guidance.

A Christ-filled 2013 to all!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we adore You with Mary, Your mother and ours. Thank You for another year.  Like Mary, grant us with a heart that remembers and rejoices in the many blessings You have given us, a heart that longs for peace.  Amen.

Mama Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.