Dear Friends,

Today we complete the eight day celebration of Theophany (Armenian Christmas) by commemorating the circumcision and naming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It’s interesting that the gospel passage read today consists of just one verse, Luke 2:21 - “And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcision of the child, His name was called Jesus, which was so named by the Angel before He was conceived in the womb.”

Thus in chronological fashion we celebrate these two events: circumcision and naming.

In the Old Testament the practice of circumcision was introduced to the people of Israel by the Patriarch Abraham as a way to differentiate them from the other nations. From the perspective of the New Testament, circumcision is to be seen as a prefigurement of the sacrament of baptism, which St. Paul refers to as “the circumcision made without hands.” Colossians 2:11 Thus through baptism we are received into the church and are thus separated from the non-believers.

Celebrating our Lord’s circumcision is yet one more way that we understand Him to have come “not to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but rather to fulfill them.” It’s very obvious in the gospels that our Lord Jesus was faithful to the customs and teachings of Israel, while at the same time imbuing them with higher meaning.

Today we also celebrate our blessed Lord’s naming. He is called Jesus, which in Hebrew is Joshua, which means “The one who saves” from sins or “the savior.” We are reminded that our Lord’s name is holy and according to the commandment should not be taken in vain. Tradition tells us that great spiritual power is derived from properly invoking and blessing the name of our Lord.

Here’s what St. Paul writes concerning Jesus’ name: “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9

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With prayers.
Hayr Simeon
January 13, 2008