Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. Happy New Year!

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The Granduca Madonna, Raphael (Raffaello), 1504
Galleria Palatina (Palazzo Pitti), Florence [Web Gallery of Art]

So the shepherds 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.

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