A birth and an announcement

First Reading: Mi 5:1-4a or Rom 8:28-30
Psalm: 13:6 -- With delight I rejoice in the Lord
Gospel: Mt 1:1-16, 18-23 or 1:18-23

Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Friends,

In reading the long version of the gospel today, I couldn't help but smile every time I read the words 'father' or 'mother'. The words seem to have new meaning today. I am blessed to announce today, on the birthday of our Blessed Mother, that my wife and I are expecting our first child!

I encourage everyone to read today's scriptures, but will not comment on them today. Instead, we offer this prayer:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of death. Amen.

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Rejoice with us, as we celebrate the blessings our Lord has bestowed on us. Let us together sing of His goodness!

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for this day, and all of its blessings. We ask that you guide us as we begin our new lives as parents. Let the example of your Blessed Mother and St. Joseph stand ever before us and shine in our lives. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord. Amen.