Day 8: January 1: Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus or Feast of the Holy Name
1 Numbers 6:22-27
Every night before I went to bed, my dad would tell me goodnight and sing “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” I would hear these comforting words
and feel a sense of belonging, knowing that my name belonged to God and that I would forever be His. Although I was very young the first time I heard this song, I was able to understand that God was a peaceful, loving, and kind Father. Through this simple song, I knew that God wanted to bestow his blessing of peace upon me. Just as my earthly father gave me peace by singing “The Lord Bless You and Keep You,” our Heavenly Father gives us the free gift of peace by blessing us with His name.
In traditional Jewish culture, babies are given their name eight days after being born to show that they belong to their family. Baby boys, specifically, were circumcised on the eighth day to make a covenant with God showing that they would forever belong to Him. Jesus Christ was named and circumcised on the eighth day to show all of the world that He belonged to His Heavenly Father.
In Numbers 6:22-27, God blesses Moses and Aaron, and through them, God blesses the people of Israel. Just as God chose Moses and Aaron to bless His people, we are chosen to bless others through sharing God’s name and bringing others into the great family of God. God blesses His people through holding them near to Him and by giving them His name. God is filled with joy whenever He sees us and shows His countless grace toward us despite our sinfulness. When we are given a name, we have a feeling of peace and comfort knowing that we belong. God provides us with peace, knowing that once we belong to Him, we will be His forever.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord, I pray that you will help me feel and remember your peace. I pray that throughout this year and all of my life that I will constantly be reminded that I am yours. Help me to spread your name and your peace everywhere that I go. Help me be a light in a dark world. Amen.
Tradition:
Genealogies are unique to every family because they show who your family is and where you come from. The Feast of the Holy Name is all about being a part of a family. Something fun and easy that you can do with your family today is ask your parents how you got your name and what it means to both them and to you. You can also ask them what were some of the other names they considered when they named you. Through this conversation, you may have a good laugh with your family and may even end up being grateful that your parents didn’t end up naming you some of the other names they were considering.
John Drake Ramirez,
Class of 2023
Bio:
My name is John Drake Ramirez, and I have been a student at Grace for 11 years. Both of my sisters graduated from Grace as well. I am involved in the Grace orchestra and I always enjoy getting to play my violin with the rest of my class. Next year, I will be a student at Texas A&M University College of Engineering. I plan to major in biomedical engineering and pursue a path in prosthetics. My favorite Christmas tradition is sitting with my family at the breakfast table after we have just opened our Christmas gifts and eating coffee cake.