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

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

If Jesus’ birthday really is December 25^th, (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

The December Gospel of Luke Challenge – Looking at Luke Look at Jesus: Dec. 2 – Luke 2

The December Gospel of Luke Challenge                     

  – Looking at Luke Look at Jesus: Dec. 2 – Luke 2

Thanks for joining this challenge. The goal is simple—Learn Jesus. 

There are twenty-four chapters in the Gospel of Luke. The challenge is, beginning on December 1, read Luke 1. Then on each day through Christmas Eve, read the corresponding chapter with that day’s date. If you’re just now starting, jump right on in.

For additional enrichment, journal or simply list the highlights of each day’s reading. I will share my own notes some days. My journaling will be hand written in a notebook and I won’t always have time to type it into the computer and post it. When I can, I will enjoy doing so.

An introduction and further explanation can be found in my blog post of November 28, 2017.  

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December 2 – Luke 2: 

 

First: pray, thanking God for Jesus and for His Word. Second: read Luke 2, if you haven’t already. Third: record meaningful highlights in a journal or tablet.

Here are my own notes as I read and meditate on Luke 2:

v. 1-2 – The decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all should be registered. This took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. Luke meticulously sets up the timing and political backdrop. 

v. 3 – All people went to register in the city of their origin

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v. 4-5 – Joseph took his betrothed wife, Mary, left their home in Nazareth and went to Judea to the city of David (Bethlehem), to be registered. Mary was with child. 

v. 6-7 – While there, “she brought forth her first born Son, wrapped Him in a manger, because there was not room for them in the inn” (v.7).

Side note: For more details of the account of the birth of Jesus, read the first few chapters of The Gospels of Matthew and Mark.

v. 8 – It was night and shepherds were out in the fields keeping watch over their flocks.

v. 9 – An angel of the Lord appeared and the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were afraid.

v. 10-11 – The angel said, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

It’s thrilling that the angel said that a Savior has been born “to you,” making his pronouncement personal to those lowly shepherds.

v. 12 – The angel tells how they’ll find the Babe.

v. 13-14 – Suddenly a whole multitude of angels appeared praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth good will toward men!” (v.14).

v. 15–16 -  When the angels went away the shepherds said, “Let’s go ...” They hurried off and “found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger” (v.16).

v. 17-18 – When they left they told others about the Child and those who heard marveled. 

v. 19 – “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

v. 20 – Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen.

From the book, His Name is Jesus by Connie Wohlford

v. 21 – When Jesus was eight days old, Joseph and Mary had Him circumcised and His name was recorded. Jesus was the name given them by the angel before He was conceived. 

Still today the official recording of the child’s name is a part of the circumcision ceremony, which is called the brit milah. I wrote about this in my book titled, His Name Is Jesus.

v. 22- 24 – When Jesus was forty days old Joseph and Mary took him to the Temple in Jerusalem to be dedicated to the Lord. This was all done in accordance with the Law of Moses.

v. 25-27 – The old man, Simeon, had been told by God that he would live to see Messiah. The Holy Spirit came upon Simeon and when he went to the Temple he recognized Jesus as his long awaited Messiah. 

From the book, He is the ONE, by Connie Wohlford

v. 28-32 – Simeon took baby Jesus up in his arms, blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation...” (v. 29-30).

v. 33 – Joseph and Mary were amazed. 

v. 34-35 – Simeon blessed them and said, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel...”

v. 36 – The elderly woman, Anna, a prophetess who served God faithfully, came in and instantly recognized Jesus as Messiah and gave thanks to the Lord. 

In my book, He Is the ONE, I wrote about these amazing happenings on Jesus dedication day.

v, 39-40 – Joseph and Mary took Jesus and returned to Nazareth, “And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.”

v. 41-42 – Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem every year for the Feast of the Passover. Luke tells about the time when Jesus was with them at the age of twelve.

v. 43-44 – When they were ready to return home Jesus lingered behind but His parents didn’t know. They figured He was with other members of their group. After a day’s journey they couldn’t find Him.

v. 45-47 – They returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. After three days of searching they found Him in the Temple sitting among the teachers. “And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers“ (v. 47).

v. 48 – When His parents saw Him, they were amazed. Mary said, “Son, why have you done this to us? Look, your father and I have sought You anxiously.”

v. 49 His answer: “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

v. 50 – They didn’t understand.

v. 51 – They all went home to Nazareth and Jesus was subject to them. Mary “kept all these things in her heart” (v. 51). 

v. 52 – “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

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There we have it—the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Thank you for joining in on this December challenge. I pray you’ll being blessed in it.

Your comments are welcome below. All who read will enjoy hearing about the highlights of Luke 2 from your perspective. 

God bless you as you meditate on the wonder of the birth and early days of our Lord. And, like Mary, keep these things in your heart as you experience this Christmas Season.

 ©Copyright 2017 Connie Wohlford