Dearest e-votees-
Happy New Year!
We are now on the eighth day of Christmas. 8 has special significance in Christianity (8 sided baptismal font hints at 8 people saved in flood, 8 compass points of the Great Commission and 8 days of the week (7-day week + Resurrection day)). There is much that could be said on this eighth day.
The eighth day is the day that a baby boy would receive the mark of the covenant, circumcision, and be named. Since we celebrate Jesus' birth on December 25 then it makes sense to commemorate today, the eighth day, as the day Jesus received his name. We will use the appointed gospel for "Holy Name of Jesus" for our devotion this week.
The Holy Name of Jesus means "he saves". Thanks be to God.
Peace,
Karl
----------
Happy New Year!
We are now on the eighth day of Christmas. 8 has special significance in Christianity (8 sided baptismal font hints at 8 people saved in flood, 8 compass points of the Great Commission and 8 days of the week (7-day week + Resurrection day)). There is much that could be said on this eighth day.
The eighth day is the day that a baby boy would receive the mark of the covenant, circumcision, and be named. Since we celebrate Jesus' birth on December 25 then it makes sense to commemorate today, the eighth day, as the day Jesus received his name. We will use the appointed gospel for "Holy Name of Jesus" for our devotion this week.
The Holy Name of Jesus means "he saves". Thanks be to God.
Peace,
Karl
----------
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Luke 2:15-21, NRSV
It seems that the chaos of Christmas (shepherds, angels, gifts, etc., etc.) has settled down. Mary and Joseph are settling in as new parents. Mary, particularly, is treasuring and pondering the words spoken about her baby boy. And now it is time to give him his name.
Names are so important to anyone but particularly in the culture of the Bible. Names have significance and meaning and the power to help define someone's life and calling. God has sent an angel to communicate Jesus' name. Mary and Joseph give Jesus his name as directed by God. They are acknowledging that their boy will be an agent of healing and salvation. Surely they had no idea the scope and the cost of that salvation. I wonder if Mary was still pondering and treasuring these words of the shepherds at the foot of the cross.
When someone is baptized they are given a new name: child of God. Names are able to shape us in terms of our life and our calling. When we are baptized we surely have no idea of the scope and the cost of that salvation. We grow into that each and every day we live into our baptismal calling. When we let the chaos of the world (Christmas or otherly) fade into the background we can settle into pondering and treasuring the Word which speaks to this day into our life and circumstances.
Some days of our walk are happier; some not so much so. But every day can be a joyful one when we remember how much God so loved us and all the world and all that God did to communicate that to us. Another of the appointed texts for "Holy Name of Jesus" is the blessing found in Numbers 6:22-27 which says:
22 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 23 Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them,
24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. 27 So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.
May this blessing sustain you today.
God, you have blessed us with your salvation and made us your children. Help us live in ways that bring glory to you and invite others into these powerful healing promises.
21 After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Names are so important to anyone but particularly in the culture of the Bible. Names have significance and meaning and the power to help define someone's life and calling. God has sent an angel to communicate Jesus' name. Mary and Joseph give Jesus his name as directed by God. They are acknowledging that their boy will be an agent of healing and salvation. Surely they had no idea the scope and the cost of that salvation. I wonder if Mary was still pondering and treasuring these words of the shepherds at the foot of the cross.
When someone is baptized they are given a new name: child of God. Names are able to shape us in terms of our life and our calling. When we are baptized we surely have no idea of the scope and the cost of that salvation. We grow into that each and every day we live into our baptismal calling. When we let the chaos of the world (Christmas or otherly) fade into the background we can settle into pondering and treasuring the Word which speaks to this day into our life and circumstances.
Some days of our walk are happier; some not so much so. But every day can be a joyful one when we remember how much God so loved us and all the world and all that God did to communicate that to us. Another of the appointed texts for "Holy Name of Jesus" is the blessing found in Numbers 6:22-27 which says:
22 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 23 Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them,
24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. 27 So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.
May this blessing sustain you today.
God, you have blessed us with your salvation and made us your children. Help us live in ways that bring glory to you and invite others into these powerful healing promises.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment