This holy day reveres Mary as the Mother of God even as we worship Christ her Son
Reflections on the readings for The Octave Day of Christmas / Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God (January 1, 2022): NM 6:22-27; PS 67:2-3,5,6,8; GAL 4:4-7; LK 2:16-21
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
The maternity of Mary and its importance in God’s eternal design for humanity was finally recognized as especially significant to the sweeping celebration of the Nativity.
This is a unique day as the Church honors the Octave of Christmas and the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. However, it was not until the 1960’s that this name for the day was used. For centuries before that the feast focused on the circumcision of our Lord. However, the maternity of Mary and its importance in God’s eternal design for humanity was finally recognized as especially significant to the sweeping celebration of the Nativity. Indeed, this lovely, singular title of Mary has been officially recognized by the Church since the Council of Ephesus in 431 A.D. It was already a belief held by the laity who paraded through the streets at that time, saying, “Praise be to the Theotokos” -- Greek for ‘Mother of God’. St. Pope Paul VI, who had great devotion to the Blessed Virgin, wrote, “This celebration, placed on January 1 … is meant to commemorate the part played by Mary in this mystery of salvation. It is meant also to exalt the singular dignity which this mystery brings to the holy mother … through whom we were found worthy to receive the Author of life.”
In the Gospel reading we are reminded of the wonder experienced by those poor shepherds in the region who were singled out by God’s messengers. After they heard the earth-shaking news about the birth of the Messiah from the angels, “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” (Luke 2:16-18). So some of the humblest people in the City of David were first to learn that the long awaited hope of the Jewish nation -- and all nations -- had been fulfilled.
Suggested missionary action: Let us celebrate this first day of the New Year and Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary by praying a World Mission Rosary. We can ask our Holy Mother to intercede for those who do not yet know her Son, the Son of God, and for the well-being of our loved ones, and all God’s beloved children!
