The Feast of Mary, Mother of God | Sunday 1 January 2023

A very happy new year from the team at Pray As You Go! We pray you step into this new year afresh with God.



Today is Sunday the 1st of January, the feast of Mary, Mother of God.


Salt of the Sound sings, ‘Praise To The Lord’.



Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation
O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation
Come, all who hear; now to his temple draw near
Join me in glad adoration
Praise to the Lord, above all things so wondrously reigning
Sheltering you under his wings, and so gently sustaining
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
If with his love he befriends you
Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him
Let the Amen sound from his people again
Gladly forever adore him
Let the Amen sound from his people again
Gladly forever adore him

Today’s reading is from the book of Numbers.


Numbers 6:22-27

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 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.

We honour today the unique privilege of Mary and her relationship with God. Amongst all of Mary’s titles, this is the first. Is this a title that has meaning for you?

This familiar phrase from the Book of Numbers has long been used by the church (and Jewish communities) as a blessing in prayer liturgies. For this feast day, which is also recognised as the World Day of Prayer for Peace, this blessing speaks of everything Mary received from God and which is promised now to us.


As we begin this New Year with a Sabbath day, listen to the benediction again, receive this blessing for you…

As we end this time, can you pray this blessing for the world?


Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.