ABC The Holy Name
(January 1)
Introduction
The gospel presents several concepts: (i) angels visiting shepherds; (ii) shepherds going to see the Holy family; (iii) Mary cherishing the words they say and thinking on them; (iv) shepherds returning with glory in their hearts; (v) Jesus circumcised; and (vi) the name of Jesus given to the child. Wow, that's a lot for only six verses!
Even so, each helps us "see" Jesus (clearly that's what Epiphany season will do as well). In the angels, we know that Jesus' heralds are God's voices in the heavens. The choice of the shepherds to "hear the angels sing" is very powerful: shepherds have to work, no matter what. And it's lowly, unappreciated, low pay work. The naive shepherds are nevertheless astounded by the angels so much that they hurry to Bethlehem—there is no time to delay. Further, the shepherds are filled with "glory" in their hearts because they had heard and believed and followed through on what the angels said. Dear Mary, holds in her heart what the shepherds have said, as surely as she holds the baby Jesus. Jesus' circumcision, symbolic of his becoming part of the family of Jews, and naming are traditional symbols of family. For me each of these concepts points to Jesus' name. How about you? Comments welcome.
[Editor's note: January 1 is the feast of The Holy Name and is to be observed when it falls on Sunday (as it does in 2023). However, some churches may prefer to observe the First Sunday after Christmas. Both are available through Faith@Home.]
Luke 2:15-21
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
sermons4kids.com: "We can get so caught up in the celebration, the decorations, and the gifts that we miss the real Christmas—the birthday of our Savior, Jesus Christ. "
Scripture: January 1, 2023—The Holy Name—Numbers 6:22-27 (image); Psalm 8 (image); Galatians 4:4-7 (image) or Philippians 2:5-11 (image); and Luke 2:15-21 (image). A visual/audio journey.
Collect: Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Reflection: The feast of the most holy name of Jesus reminds us that God is not only powerful but his name too is filled with power. God does not need to come down to earth to work wonders. All we need do is call out His holy name and all knees shall bow. All powers shall confess that Jesus is Lord. How do you pay homage?
(excerpted from Reflection on the Feast of the Most Holy Name os Jesus)
Eye Candy: “Altar of the Holy Name of Jesus (Poland)”; “The Circumcision” (16th Century) by Luca Senioreli; “IHS Monogram”, Church of the Gesu, Rome
Ear Worm: “God is love, let heaven adore him”, North Stoneham & Basset parish; “Angels we have heard on high“, sung by Christendom College Choir; “Shine, Jesus, shine“, worship video
Brain Food: "What's in a name?", a reflection by Ana Tew; “Commentary”, from Christ Church Cathedral; "The name of Jesus on our lips", by Charles Hoffacker.
Contemporary Parables: “Mr. Popper's Penguins” (2011), keeping the inheritance; “The ultimate gift" (2006), a gift for a selfish person; “Brewster's Millions” (1985), who is your friend and when
The Holy Name of Jesus
Jesus, O memory most sweet,
True heart's contentment dost thou meet:
Than sweetest honey O more sweet,
Thy very sweetest self to greet.
There is no sweeter song to sing,
No sound more wholly ravishing,
Heart hath not known a gentler thing,
Than Jesus the eternal king.
O Jesus, refuge of the meek,
How tender art thou to the weak,
How kind art thou to those who seek,
But what to those who hear thee speak!
No tongue is capable to tell,
Nor letters to declare the spell;
But he who knoweth, knoweth well
What tis in thy delight to dwell
Jesus, be all our joy, O lord,
Who art to be our sure reward:
Suffer our glory dwell in thee,
To all the ages verily.
© John Gray