A WORD FOR TODAY 1 JANUARY 2020

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

A BLESSING FOR THE NEW YEAR

*New year brings joy

_There is joy and hope whenever we begin a new year. Resolutions and targets are made and set respectively and the moral is high that it will be achieved as the year goes by. Definitely, resolutions and set targets will be realizable if you back it up with actions._

*Our Blessings for the year comes from the Lord*

_The first reading of today shows how Moses was instructed by the Lord to tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people in His name. God's love for us is extraordinarily extravagant and this love moves Him to always give us the best at all times. At the very beginning of this year and still basking in the joy of the nativity of the Lord and within the octave of Christmas, God is pouring out His blessings upon us and by faith these blessings shall follow us through the year and its manifestation shall come at the appointed time._

*God's Blessings is Assured*

_We cannot achieve anything in this new year if we do not walk along with God and let Him lead us. He knows where the green pasture is and any blessing He bestows on us can never be taken away. Therefore, submit yourself to Him and let Him lead the way while you follow Him for In Him your blessings are assured._

*Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God*

_Today the universal Church honours Mary, Mother of God and it is very pertinent that we learn from her example as we journey through this year. She will assist us with her maternal intercession and to fly to her patronage is the best thing that could happen to us. She gave birth to Jesus took care of Him from birth to death and she will do the same for us if we consecrate our life, family, work, business and other activities of this year into her immaculate heart. She is humble, patient, loving, caring, pure, honest, kind, docile, prayerful and above all she is full of grace, therefore, if we take her as our Mother she will obtain for us from the Lord the grace that will help us to overcome the challenges of this new year._

*Be Hopeful as the year begins*

_It has pleased the Lord to bring us into this new year and if we hope and trust in Him, everything will go well for us. We do not know what the year will bring, but we believe that with God on our side we shall be victorious. No matter how difficult things were for you last year, be hopeful as we begin this new year, put in your best in what you do, and be rest assured that God will bless your hardwork and crown your effort with resounding success._

*Declaration and Resolution*

_I declare that this year shall be for us a year of *DIVINE VISITATION* Just as the Lord visited our Mother Mary through the angel and announced the Good News to her. May the Lord visit us through our various experiences and encounter with people and may we receive Good News and become channels of divine blessings in this year to everyone that comes around us. Amen._

_*I resolve to continue to follow Jesus and to witness for Him. I pray for the grace to grow in faith and to love more as He has loved me and may I never lack His help in good times and in bad. Amen*_

*Say 'Amen' to this beautiful Prayer*

_The Lord bless you and keep you. Amen._
_*The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. Amen.*_
_The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and Give you peace. Amen._

_Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you begin your day and do have a blessed and favourable new year. May God's favour rest upon you and may His presence be your protection and security and may He lift you higher from glory to glory. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen*_

*Meditation:* Numbers 6:22-27/Psalm 67:2-3,5,6,8/Galatians 4:4-7/Luke 2:16-21

*Watch-Word:* O God, be gracious and bless us

_*God is with us and since He is with us we cannot be moved. In His name we shall be blessed and overcome the challenges of the new year.*_

(January 1st 2020, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.)

Happy New Year to you all!!!
It shall be a year of *DIVINE VISITATION* for us. Amen.