Christmas 1 – The Circumcision and Naming of Jesus January 1, 2023
Luke 2:21
The Everlasting Day
v.21 And at the end of eight days, when He was circumcised, He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
Dear friends in Christ, today we are celebrating an interesting festival in the church year—the circumcision and naming of Jesus, which is observed on January 1st. Joseph and Mary, as devout Jews, waited until the eighth day to circumcise their newborn son, Jesus, in fulfillment of Old Testament Law—which was done to incorporate the new child into the life and covenant of the Jews, in remembrance of the great covenant that God had made with Abraham so many years before in Genesis 17. Circumcision was a very important religious ritual in Jewish life as it served to daily remind the Jews, particularly the males, of their status as people set apart by God for God and of His manifold blessings and promises that He gave to them.
Furthermore, as Abram received his new name, Abraham, at his circumcision, so also from that time forth, Jewish males received their names on the occasion of their circumcision. For people in Bible times names held great significance—either as hopes/dreams of the parents for their children—or, to signify a person’s character or destiny. This also carried on into Christian tradition as people were given their “Christian names” at Baptism—for those who encounter God will never be the same—and a new name was a great way of symbolizing this important truth.
Jesus, at His circumcision, was already working to fulfill the whole Law of God for His people. He began His work very early in life, taking up the mantle of sinful humanity, being born under the Law, so that He might truly carry it out for us. The Lawgiver was making Himself subject to His own Law. This is the beginning of His work of redemption for the whole world. Already, at only eight days old, our Lord shed His blood, beginning the task that would be the salvation for all people.
There is, of course, great significance to the number eight in the Bible, and the eighth day in particular. God’s whole work of creation took seven days. On the seventh He rested—the eighth day, therefore, was the beginning of something new—another week—another time. This is carried forward into Jesus’ own atoning sacrifice on the cross. He died, completed His work of redemption, on the sixth day, resting in the tomb on the seventh day, He was raised to new and everlasting life on the eighth day—the first day of the new creation—which He promises will also be given to all those who believe in Him. This brought the world into a new covenant of grace and mercy—forever sealed in the blood of Jesus that was shed.
How appropriate that Jesus also received His name on this eighth day—the name that already told the story of what He had come to do—Jesus--the Lord saves. For truly, in Jesus the Lord God almighty has come to save. He has come in the weakness of human flesh—born of woman—born under the Law—to redeem all those who were under the curse of the Law—you and me—on account of our sin.
No doubt Jesus cried as His foreskin was cut off, foreshadowing how He would cry out on Calvary as He would be cut off from His Father in heaven because of our sin. Giving up His body and His blood into death—even death upon the cross. But He knew that no ordinary human being could ever have fulfilled the Law of God perfectly as He Himself demands. Therefore, He went about doing that great work for us—and then, in an act of unimaginable mercy—even took into His own flesh the horrible punishment for sin that was our due.
How does all of this apply to you, personally? Well, St. Paul in His letter to the Colossians provides the link for us when he says (2:11-14), “In Him [Jesus] also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in Baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross.”
Wow. In Baptism, St. Paul says, there is a link to circumcision. Just as circumcision pointed ahead to an even greater covenant relationship with God, so now in Holy Baptism it has been fulfilled. For in Baptism your sin is cut off from you—removed by the blood of Christ outpoured for you—who nailed your sin to the cross and left it there forever—paid by His shed blood. Though you were dead in your trespasses—in the uncircumcision of your hearts—your unbelief—yet God, in His grace, has raised you from the dead—breathing new life into your soul through faith in Christ Jesus. This is His gift to you in your Baptism.
For in Baptism, you receive many things: forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation. You also rejoice in the reception of the Holy Spirit who comes to dwell within your heart to keep you in the one true faith by always pointing you to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.
Remember, whatever name you have been given by your parents, in Baptism you have been given another name. A name like no other. The name that is above all names—the name of the Triune God Himself—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. His name is upon your brow—setting you apart as one for whom Christ has died—and one for whom there is a place in the kingdom of heaven.
This means that whatever you encounter in this life—whatever heartaches and sorrows you endure—whatever accusations Satan and the world might throw your way—you need never despair. They might call you names in mockery and derision—they might besmirch your name all around town with lies—or, you might even mar your own name by your sinful words and deeds. Despite all these things—the Lord’s name remains and abides with you and upon you through it all. In your Baptism His name was placed upon your brow and no one and no thing can ever remove it. For Christ has placed it there Himself—sealed it unto you with His own blood—claiming you as His own dear child and heir. Though Satan and the world may rage against you—yet you have Jesus Christ and Him crucified—you have the name of the Lord of Life and the Redeemer of all etched into your life through faith in Jesus. So, even now, you remain—and will abide in forever—the Everlasting Day—the Day of grace, mercy, and peace—the eternal Eighth Day of the New Creation. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Luke 2:21
The Everlasting Day
v.21 And at the end of eight days, when He was circumcised, He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
Dear friends in Christ, today we are celebrating an interesting festival in the church year—the circumcision and naming of Jesus, which is observed on January 1st. Joseph and Mary, as devout Jews, waited until the eighth day to circumcise their newborn son, Jesus, in fulfillment of Old Testament Law—which was done to incorporate the new child into the life and covenant of the Jews, in remembrance of the great covenant that God had made with Abraham so many years before in Genesis 17. Circumcision was a very important religious ritual in Jewish life as it served to daily remind the Jews, particularly the males, of their status as people set apart by God for God and of His manifold blessings and promises that He gave to them.
Furthermore, as Abram received his new name, Abraham, at his circumcision, so also from that time forth, Jewish males received their names on the occasion of their circumcision. For people in Bible times names held great significance—either as hopes/dreams of the parents for their children—or, to signify a person’s character or destiny. This also carried on into Christian tradition as people were given their “Christian names” at Baptism—for those who encounter God will never be the same—and a new name was a great way of symbolizing this important truth.
Jesus, at His circumcision, was already working to fulfill the whole Law of God for His people. He began His work very early in life, taking up the mantle of sinful humanity, being born under the Law, so that He might truly carry it out for us. The Lawgiver was making Himself subject to His own Law. This is the beginning of His work of redemption for the whole world. Already, at only eight days old, our Lord shed His blood, beginning the task that would be the salvation for all people.
There is, of course, great significance to the number eight in the Bible, and the eighth day in particular. God’s whole work of creation took seven days. On the seventh He rested—the eighth day, therefore, was the beginning of something new—another week—another time. This is carried forward into Jesus’ own atoning sacrifice on the cross. He died, completed His work of redemption, on the sixth day, resting in the tomb on the seventh day, He was raised to new and everlasting life on the eighth day—the first day of the new creation—which He promises will also be given to all those who believe in Him. This brought the world into a new covenant of grace and mercy—forever sealed in the blood of Jesus that was shed.
How appropriate that Jesus also received His name on this eighth day—the name that already told the story of what He had come to do—Jesus--the Lord saves. For truly, in Jesus the Lord God almighty has come to save. He has come in the weakness of human flesh—born of woman—born under the Law—to redeem all those who were under the curse of the Law—you and me—on account of our sin.
No doubt Jesus cried as His foreskin was cut off, foreshadowing how He would cry out on Calvary as He would be cut off from His Father in heaven because of our sin. Giving up His body and His blood into death—even death upon the cross. But He knew that no ordinary human being could ever have fulfilled the Law of God perfectly as He Himself demands. Therefore, He went about doing that great work for us—and then, in an act of unimaginable mercy—even took into His own flesh the horrible punishment for sin that was our due.
How does all of this apply to you, personally? Well, St. Paul in His letter to the Colossians provides the link for us when he says (2:11-14), “In Him [Jesus] also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in Baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross.”
Wow. In Baptism, St. Paul says, there is a link to circumcision. Just as circumcision pointed ahead to an even greater covenant relationship with God, so now in Holy Baptism it has been fulfilled. For in Baptism your sin is cut off from you—removed by the blood of Christ outpoured for you—who nailed your sin to the cross and left it there forever—paid by His shed blood. Though you were dead in your trespasses—in the uncircumcision of your hearts—your unbelief—yet God, in His grace, has raised you from the dead—breathing new life into your soul through faith in Christ Jesus. This is His gift to you in your Baptism.
For in Baptism, you receive many things: forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation. You also rejoice in the reception of the Holy Spirit who comes to dwell within your heart to keep you in the one true faith by always pointing you to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.
Remember, whatever name you have been given by your parents, in Baptism you have been given another name. A name like no other. The name that is above all names—the name of the Triune God Himself—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. His name is upon your brow—setting you apart as one for whom Christ has died—and one for whom there is a place in the kingdom of heaven.
This means that whatever you encounter in this life—whatever heartaches and sorrows you endure—whatever accusations Satan and the world might throw your way—you need never despair. They might call you names in mockery and derision—they might besmirch your name all around town with lies—or, you might even mar your own name by your sinful words and deeds. Despite all these things—the Lord’s name remains and abides with you and upon you through it all. In your Baptism His name was placed upon your brow and no one and no thing can ever remove it. For Christ has placed it there Himself—sealed it unto you with His own blood—claiming you as His own dear child and heir. Though Satan and the world may rage against you—yet you have Jesus Christ and Him crucified—you have the name of the Lord of Life and the Redeemer of all etched into your life through faith in Jesus. So, even now, you remain—and will abide in forever—the Everlasting Day—the Day of grace, mercy, and peace—the eternal Eighth Day of the New Creation. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.