A Prayer and Blessing for This Special Day

Today is the Octave of the Nativity,
the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God,
the World Day of Prayer for Peace, and New Year’s Day.

The first reading from today’s liturgy, Numbers 6: 22-27,
is a fitting prayer and blessing for all these occasions:

God said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his children and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
God bless you and keep you!
God’s face shine upon you,
and be gracious to you!
God look upon you kindly
and give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them.”