The Eve of the Circumcision and Naming of our Lord

Text: Luke 2:21

The Social Security Administration publishes a list of the top baby names yearly.

Since it’s still 2023, the final numbers aren’t in. However, many of the baby name sites on the internet have the top three female names: Amelia, Emma, and in the top spot, Olivia.  In the male category, we have Oliver, Liam, and in the running to retake the reign…Noah. (It’s a great name, what can I say!) Noah has been in the top spot 4 out of the past ten years, often duking it out with Liam.

But what’s in a name?

A great deal of thought often goes into naming a child. Sometimes, it involves countless hours of research, paging through books, and debate among parents. If parents choose not to know the sex of a baby before birth, then this exercise becomes much more laborious.

But think about it: what is a parent trying to accomplish in their child's name? Are they trying to be unique, finding a word so obscure it may cause their child’s future teachers nightmares trying to spell it (or pronounce it)? Or is there a family heritage being passed down through the use of a name, a grandfather or grandmother? Or is there a passing on of a spiritual legacy by selecting a name from the Scriptures, Christian history, or even Biblical ideas? All said this is a big task.

But another aspect of all of this is one’s family name. A family name represents a sense of belonging that you are part of something bigger than being called Noah.

How often do parents tell their children to be on their best behavior when they attend school, are out in the community, or have extended family events because they represent something more than themselves? They represent and reflect their family.

In the Old Testament reading this morning, the children of Israel were given a name: the name of the Lord. As we heard, “So shall I put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6:27)

What does He bless them with? Clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all that they had. He defended them against all danger and guarded them, and protected them from all evil throughout their journey to the promised land. Why? Because He was their Father and they were his dear children, they received the benefits that come with His name.

Even more important in this promise is the Father’s Word, that He would send a Son, a redeemer, into this world. He would finally grant them an end to their wandering and peace. But also, that He would send a name that not only Israelites could call upon, but a name all the earth would know as their Savior. This is what the prophet Isaiah prophesied when He wrote, “And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) Or “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) This is the exciting news of Christmas, it’s the exciting news of the new year! That we, like Israel, have a Savior who has entered this world and planted His name upon His creation.

But first, in order to fulfill not only the prophecy but also the Law and Will of God, Jesus is circumcised. Like Baptism, circumcision for Old Testament believers includes the forgiveness of sins, justification, and incorporation into the people of God. (Dr. Just) Circumcision reveals God in the flesh, that He has truly taken our humanity. The shedding of blood in the temple foreshadows the blood He will shed for you on the cross.

In the ritual, it is only after circumcision that a name is given. Think back to the circumcision and naming of John the Baptist. He was to take his father’s name, Zechariah, but the angel of the Lord instructed otherwise. Zechariah was mute, but at the appointed time, he expressed with great joy, “His name is John,” because he would be great before the Lord.

Similarly, Mary and Joseph did not choose the name of the child they brought to the temple for circumcision. Instead, it, too, was announced to them by the angel of the Lord. In the Gospel of Matthew, Gabriel appeared to Joseph and instructed him that the child born of Mary “He shall be named Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

This name means something.

I love this: the Word of God never leaves you wondering who Jesus is. It clearly informs you that Jesus is the world's Savior and that “He will save His people (you) from their sins.”

Again, names are important; they confess who you are.

But one of the great realities of men is that they fear being forgotten. That one day, no one will have known who they were.

Truthfully, like a news headline today or a Facebook status tomorrow, our names will probably be forgotten as the headlines of a new year consume the world tomorrow, a new era and chapter in the world’s history.

But the Church festival we observe today, the naming and circumcision of our Lord, tells us something different about the name of God. As the Psalmist records, it is, “A name that endures forever, a name that is throughout the ages.” And it’s your name too!

Something extraordinary happened when you were baptized, and the water was sprinkled or poured over your head. Over your name, a new name was spoken, and a new name was given to you as you were baptized into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. In this name, you are included in the family of God, the gifts and benefits of Jesus’ name are now bestowed upon you, and you are called Christian. In this way, when the name of Jesus is spoken, you, too, are named. You have died your death, your sins crushed, and you have been given new life in Jesus, your Savior.

So come and gather with your brothers and sisters as we begin every Divine Serve by confessing, “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 124:8) Because it’s the name that saves!

As we begin a new year, the truth is we probably won’t give much thought to our names. But in the short Gospel for today lies great news for you, no matter what your name or heritage may be: the child born of Mary, who was brought to the Temple, shed His blood for you. Through His death, He has defeated death, and in His rising, He becomes your Jesus, Your Savior. Therefore, let His name be upon your lips, heart, and mind as you approach this New Year. Trust and know that when you call upon His name, the Lord, your Jesus will answer and save you. +INJ+