Wednesday, January 2, 2019

If Jesus’ Birthday Really is December 25th, Then Today (January 2) is a Special Day


If Jesus’ Birthday Really is December 25th, Then Today (January 2) is a Special Day

If Jesus’ birthday really is December 25th, (which it very possibly isn’t) then today, January 2, is another day to commemorate regarding His life. Today would be the day when Joseph and Mary would have had little eight-day old Jesus circumcised and His name would have been officially recorded.

One passage in the Bible tells of this occasion. “And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb” (Luke 2:21 NKJV).

Joseph and Mary were following the instructions God had given Abraham nearly 500 years earlier. The origination of the Covenant of Circumcision is recorded in Genesis 16:12.

In my children’s book, His Name Is Jesus, I wrote of this event. I’m sure you wonder how a children’s book could be written about Jesus’ circumcision. I asked God that same question when I felt lead to take on the task. He answered my prayer beautifully.

In His Name Is Jesus I tell of a special ceremony that took place when Jesus was eight days old. My focus is on His name and how God sent the angel, Gabriel, to Mary and to Joseph to pronounce His birth and what His name was to be.

In the First Century, the parents of an eight-day old boy would have a rabbi, or other qualified religious leader, come to their home or they would take their son to that man’s home, for the ceremony. Because of their lower social standing, Joseph and Mary probably took Jesus to the person’s home.

In my book, Joseph and Mary take Jesus to the home of a rabbi named Jonathan. I describe the occasion this way:

“The rabbi performed the rite called Bris Milah and asked Joseph for the name of the baby.
From "His Name is Jesus," by Connie Wohlford


 “’His name is Jesus,’ was Joseph’s reply. Joseph and Mary smiled at one another.

“When Rabbi Jonathan looked at the face of this little baby Jewish boy, what did he see? He saw the face of a little baby Jewish boy, just as he had seen many times before and would see many more times in the future. He was clueless to the fact that before him lay his own Messiah, the Son of the Covenant, the literal Son of Yahweh, Who created heaven and earth. If he had known that here lies the King of kings and the LORD of lords, likely he would have been completely undone.

“But no, to him, this was one of many baby boys that he would encounter as a rabbi Moleh, who is one who performs the Halakah ceremony.

From "His Name Is Jesus," by Connie Wohlford




“Afterwards, the rabbi’s secretary asked Mary and Joseph each for the names of their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, as well as where they were all from …” 












I hope you were blessed by reading the Bible account, from Luke, and my expanded narrative of Jesus’ eight-day old experience. 

From "His Name Is Jesus," by Connie Wohlford





















If you’re interested in purchasing the book, His Name Is Jesus, or any of my books, please contact me via email for additional information.  author@conniewohlford.com     


Your comments are welcome.  

*His Name Is Jesus, by Connie Wohlford, Copyright 2013, pages 12-13.

©Copyright 2019 Connie Wohlford

2 comments:

  1. Connie,
    I get excited when I learn something new in the Bible. I remembering reading about circumcision on the 8th day, but not about the naming ceremony. How interesting! And what a sweet children's book.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Happy New Year!

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    1. Me too, Beckie! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and for your nice comment.

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