Aardvark Alley: The Circumcision and Name of Jesus

Aardvark Alley

Confessional Lutheran theology, hagiography, philosophy, music, culture, sports, education, and whatever else is on the fevered mind of Orycteropus Afer

01 January 2007

The Circumcision and Name of Jesus

1 January, New Testament

This major feast day of the Christian Church marks the infant Jesus' eighth day of life. At this time, the Law required all boys of Israel to be circumcised (cf. Genesis 17:9-14; Leviticus 12:1-3).

On this day, our Savior also received His name (Luke 2:21). This fulfilled the command given to both Mary (Luke 1:31) and Joseph (Matthew 1:21) during their angelic visitations.

Christ's circumcision placed Him fully under God's Law. His name Jesus, from the Hebrew "Joshua" (meaning "Yahweh saves" or "He saves"), bespeaks the purpose for which He assumed human flesh and came to live among us.

For more on this day, including the reason for using this date for the remembrance, please see On the Eighth Day of Christmas and Christianity and New Year's Day at Ask the Pastor, The Circumcision of Jesus Christ from Confessions of a Young Lutheran, and the 1 January 2007 entry from Jay Winter's Saints and Days writings.

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Comments:

Hi Mr. Aardvark,

Is there any particular significance to your choice of "IHS" symbol in this post?

# posted by

Anonymous : 15:05

I appreciate the symbolism of that particular monogram for this day, since the cross and nails worked into the monogram of Jesus' name are an added reminder that as He received His name, so Jesus also shed His blood for the first time as He worked for our salvation.

# posted by

Orycteropus Afer : 17:31

Well it also has a sunburst, which is of suspect symbolism, and it is the seal of the Jesuits--so I was just wondering.

# posted by

Anonymous : 20:28

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