The first of January has been associated with several liturgical observances over the history of the Church. Although the association began earlier in places, from the ninth century onward, the Roman rite commemorated the Circumcision on this eighth day of Christmas. At the Reformation, Lutheran calendars continued this emphasis. (By the way, January 1 was not observed as New Year's Day in parts of Germany until 1582 and in the English-speaking world until the 18th century.) Stressing Christ's circumcision fits in with the reality of the Incarnation. Jesus of Nazareth, God the Son, was a real Jewish male who humbled Himself, continued the covenant with Abraham, and came to fulfill all righteousness.
There is also another emphasis for this day- the name of Jesus. In recent decades, some revised calendars have changed the title of the observance, but the theme of the name has long been in the traditional Gospel and Epistle. In Luke 2:21, we read that at the circumcision the child "was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb." In the Epistle from Philippians 2:9, we read, "God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow..." Of course, Jesus, or its equivalent in ancient languages was a common Jewish name, meaning "The LORD saves."
In the particular case of this holy Child, the common name takes on special significance. For this Child named Jesus is the Lord Himself come to save His people. And Christ's work accomplishing the heavenly Father's plan for human salvation is what gives Him a name above every name. What better way for us to begin the New Year than by praising Jesus' holy name and giving thanks for the salvation that has come in the Christ Child!
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