LUKE 2:21

THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2008

HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED, JESUS

21 “And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.”. ST. LUKE 2:21 (NKJV)

St. Luke 2:21 is the Historic Text from the Gospel for January 1, the date that commemorates the Circumcision and Naming of Jesus. Unfortunately, even though this text is often read as the Gospel for the Day, sermons are seldom preached on these important words.

Before I go on, you may be wondering why on the Seventh Day of Christmas I use a text that begins, “Now when eight days were completed?” It is simply a matter of how you count days. The eight day count comes from the Old Testament. If you go back to Genesis 1 and read the Story of Creation, it is repeated, “the evening and the morning were the first day, etc.  Even today many Jewish groups begin their Sabbath at 6 P.M. on Friday and it ends at 6 P.M. on Saturday. If you count the days that way, then the eight days end at 6 P.M. on January 1. After the birth of Jesus, in fact many years later when the calendar was created, the days switched from Midnight to midnight. Christmas Day stood by itself and then was followed by the 12 Days of Christmas. which takes us to Epiphany, January 6.

As each year goes by, the tendency to push aside this important Day and to replace it with the emphasis on New Year’s resolutions and celebrations has increased. This is too bad because there are probably people listening to the sermon who can’t wait to go to their parties and break the very resolutions the Pastor is speaking about.

When the emphasis is on New Year’s Day, a very important fact about the birth of Jesus is missed, Joseph and Mary fulfilled the Jewish Law when they took Him to be circumcised and Named on the eighth day. Even today, this is still a Jewish rite. Our youngest son was born in a Jewish Hospital. On the maternity floor was a special “Jewish Room”, a chapel of sorts, where all of the Jewish males born there were circumcised. Circumcision was a sign of being under the Law, which the Jewish people were under he Law.

Even though Jesus was without sin, He still bore this stigma of being under the Law. However, it was not for his sinfulness but for yours and mine and all others who have been born. Even here, at Christmas, we already are told by the act of circumcision that the sinless Jesus took our sins upon Himself and took them to the Cross. Jesus was not a Baby who grew to be a Savior, He was a Savior who grew to be a man.

Not only was He circumcised at this time, He was also named. Selecting the Name was not a problem because in St. Luke Chapter 1, verse 30 and 31 we read, 30 “Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.”

What a story!  What hope it gives. An eight day old Savior already taking the burden of my sin. Remember when you need help, HIS NAME IS JESUS.

AGAIN, WE PRAY:

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray;
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there. AMEN.

FROM LUTHER’ CRADLE HYMN - cyberhymnal.org
 

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION