Tuesday January 1st, 2019 Name of Jesus Luke 2:15-21
After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus? (verse 21)
Happy New Year!
Today a new calendar year begins in the name of Jesus, which means, “God saves.”
After God’s original covenant with humankind was broken, and paradise lost, God formed the new covenant people of Israel, chosen to reflect the light of God’s salvation to all nations. (Isaiah 49:6) The rite of circumcision embodies God’s new covenant in the very flesh and blood of fragile humanity. Jesus’ circumcision on the eighth day after his birth anticipates the first day of God’s whole new creation, promised in his birth and established in the dawning light of his resurrection from the dead on the first day of a new week, the third day after his crucifixion.
Today, on this eighth day of Christmas and first day of a new year, we celebrate all God’s past, present and future promises, fulfilled in the name of Jesus. Today, on this third day of a new week, we remember the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, which unites us with Jesus’ death and resurrection. Born anew by water and divine Word, God’s new covenant now extends to include all God’s children within the universal community of God’s new creation, in the name of Jesus.
God of salvation, we give you thanks for the new covenant of your new creation and the joy of sharing this new year of grace, in the name of Jesus. Amen. — PL
Contributed by What’s In A Name?
Happy New Year!
Today a new calendar year begins in the name of Jesus, which means, "God saves."
After God's original covenant with humankind was broken, and paradise lost, God formed the new covenant people of Israel, chosen to reflect the light of God's salvation to all nations. (Isaiah 49:6) The rite of circumcision embodies God's new covenant in the very flesh and blood of fragile humanity. Jesus' circumcision on the eighth day after his birth anticipates the first day of God's whole new creation, promised in his birth and established in the dawning light of his resurrection from the dead on the first day of a new week, the third day after his crucifixion.
Today, on this eighth day of Christmas and first day of a new year, we celebrate all God's past, present and future promises, fulfilled in the name of Jesus. Today, on this third day of a new week, we remember the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, which unites us with Jesus' death and resurrection. Born anew by water and divine Word, God's new covenant now extends to include all God's children within the universal community of God's new creation, in the name of Jesus.
