Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
Reading I Numbers 6:22-27
The LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them.”
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
R. (2a) 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.
Reading II Galatians 4:4-7
Brothers and sisters:
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman, born under the law,
to ransom those under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as sons.
As proof that you are sons,
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying out, “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.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to 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.
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
January 1, 2026 // Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God // The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Luke 2:16-21
Reflect on the Word //
My husband and I took a mini pilgrimage to the Notre Dame de Chartres Cathedral in France this summer. As we ventured deeper into the church, we came across a panelled wall, covered in detailed limestone sculptures containing forty scenes of the life of Mary and Jesus in chronological order. In the very beginning of this long stretch of art, I was struck by the depiction of Saints Joachim and Anne as they discover Mary’s conception. A daughter miraculously conceived for a plan more glorious than they could imagine.
These stunning sculptures come to mind on this Solemnity of Mary as the Mother of God. These forty scenes offer a bird’s-eye view of God’s fidelity in Mary’s life story, but they also remind me of His fidelity to each one of us within our personal stories. I find deep assurance in the glory weaved through it all. The scene of Mary standing at the foot of the Cross isn’t too far from the joy of Christ’s Nativity, or the fulfillment of His Resurrection. Glory hidden, and glory revealed.
Our Blessed Mother lived her entire life with a posture of both anticipation and remembrance of God’s glory. Today’s Gospel recalls how the shepherds arrived at the manger, confirming the Lord’s promise of a Savior. One translation of Scripture says that “Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19, NRSV). She clung to these treasures of grace in moments of speechless joy and suffocating sorrow.
As we look into the face of a fresh new year, what do we find ourselves clinging to? Maybe there are moments from this last year that have pierced us or moments when beauty brought us to tears.
From her conception to her coronation, Mary’s life is a complete testimony of the glory and fidelity of God Almighty. No matter where we find ourselves today, let’s look for a treasured moment of grace from our year, and cling to the deep knowledge that God’s glory is not yet finished being revealed. His plan is always more brilliant than we can imagine.
Relate to the Lord // What have you been clinging to? Share your past year with the Lord.
Jana Zuniga Pingel is an artist and designer based in Colorado Springs, where she resides with her husband. She earned her B.A. in Studio Art from Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana. She is the founder and owner of January Jane Shop, an online boutique for Catholic art and goods. When she isn’t busy doing entrepreneurial things, she’s cooking a new recipe, hiking a mountain, or party planning.
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