Juliano Ravanello sings Alma Redemptoris Mater: ‘Loving Mother of God’. As we begin the year afresh, let the music help you to recognise the presence of Christ with you today. What are you grateful for as you step into this new year?

Alma Redemptoris Mater, quæ pervia cæli

Porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti,

Surgere qui curat populo: tu quæ genuisti,

Natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem

Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore

Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 2:16-21

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 Pray As You Go team would like to wish you a very happy new year, full of grace and peace. Today, we start our new year with the beginning of Jesus’s life. We spend time with this reading in honour of Mary the Mother of God.

Come once again, to the stable where we find the Holy Family; Mary, Joseph and the child, Jesus lying in the manger.

Try to imagine that you can see this scene through Mary’s eyes... imagine the arrival of the shepherds as they tumble through the stable door... breathless... excited... dazed perhaps from their encounter with the angels in the fields.

You watch their faces as they find and surround the child.

Now listen to the shepherd’s voices as they spill out the news announced by the angels... born to you this day...a Saviour who is Christ the Lord...a babe in swaddling bands...lying in a manger...glory to God in the highest!

Imagine what it is like for Mary as she hears these words for the first time and begins to treasure and ponder them in her heart.

Watch the departure of the shepherds as they return to the fields. Listen to the quietness of the stable...then the conversation between Mary and Joseph. Perhaps they too, gaze at Jesus with wonderment.

We remain with Mary and Joseph, eight days later, when it is time to circumcise their child. His name already given to Mary by the angel before he was conceived in the womb... Jesus.

Now take a moment to begin the new year in praise of the name of Jesus. How has his name become special to you?

Spend these final moments of prayer by imagining once again that you are with Mary. You might like to share with her some of the things about Jesus, that you love to ponder and treasure in your heart.

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