The Feast of Circumcision and Holy Name of our Lord Jesus Christ
Written by Blake Plympton
Today, we are celebrating the circumcision and Holy Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Since this feast day covers a very wide array of topics, it will be best that we split things up. This will help us understand all the layers to this wonderful day.
So, let us begin with Circumcision. It was customary for Jewish boys to be brought to the temple for circumcision, and for Jesus it was no different. As Moses was giving the Law to the people, we see in the purification ritual after a child is born that “...on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.” (Lev. 12:3) This moment would then become a part of fulfilling the Law of the prophets. It also speaks even more to the humanity of Jesus. Although Jesus has come in flesh, he is still an infant. He will need to be nurtured by his mother, taught to walk, to speak, to learn how to use his hands and his body for work, and so much more. Jesus still has much to accomplish as he grows up.
Jesus, in this moment, embodies what it means to be a part of the people of God. Through his circumcision, he was marked as a Jew. He could not be mistaken for a Roman boy or another ethnicity. His whole identity was wrapped up in the people of God. In a similar way, we are brought into the fold of salvation through our baptism. When we are baptized into Christ, we become part of the New Exodus community (Romans 6:1-11), a forgiven and cleansed people (Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 3:21), a Holy Spirit community (Acts 2:38-39, 1 Corinthians 12:13), a community clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:26-27, Colossians 3:9-10, Ephesians 4:20-24), and more.
In addition to the circumcision, it was traditional for children to receive their name on this day as well. I am sure there are many parents who wished they could have that much time to name their child. This would include my mother! Matthew, my brother, did not receive his name until the third day. We still laugh about that often. The interesting thing about Jesus though is that he already had his name. When the angel Gabriel visited Mary, he told her what the child’s name would be. (Luke 1:31) Mary was not given “The Most Popular Baby names in 1st century” to pick from. The God Child had a name.
When the name of our Savior was given to Mary, it was so much more than just a way to identify a person. As Jesus continued to fulfill the Old Testament, he lived into the many of names in the Old Testament and even those to come: The Almighty, Alpha and Omega, Author of Life, Bread from Heaven, Chief Shepherd, Christ, Deliverer, Immanuel, God, High Priest of Heaven, the Name above all Names, and on the list would go. Jesus already had a name, but at his circumcision it was announced to the world.
Similarly, when we choose to follow Jesus and profess our faith, we become Christians. We take on the name of Christ as an intimate part of our identity. Not just a name that we throw around casually or use as a nickname with our friends. This is a name that defines who we are and what we believe. It separates us from the rest of the world. Therefore, if our identity has been changed through our baptism, and we have been given the new name of “beloved”, then we should live boldly into that identity just as Jesus.
Collect (2019 BCP, p. 625)
Almighty God, your blessed Son fulfilled the covenant of circumcision for our sake, and was given the Name that is above every name: Give us grace faithfully to bear his Name, and to worship him with pure hearts according to the New Covenant; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Questions for Reflection:
1. What does your name mean? Do you think that is a fitting name for you?
2. Ask your kids if they know what their names mean? Tell them why you gave them their name.
a. If you do not have kids of your own and are able, ask your parents why they gave you your name.
3. Of all the names of Jesus, which one sticks out to you the most? Why?
4. In what ways can you live into the new name that was given to you at your baptism?
Resources
1. https://www.episcopalchurch.org/glossary/holy-name-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-the/