THE EARLY YEARS CIRCUMCISED THE EIGHTH DAY On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived (Lk. 2:21). Have you ever traced your lineage? Do you have something in your possession that has been passed down for generations? I've traced my family back five generations—to the 1840's. Beyond that, everything is null and void. I suspect God wants to protect me from some dark, hidden past. As far as heirlooms, my favorite is my grandfather's school desk and chair. I own nothing from my great grandparents although I am heir to several items. Lineage and heirlooms are things that give our lives continuity with the past. Unfortunately, most Americans see nothing but the future. We almost ignore the past, much to our own loss and detriment. The past gives us insight into who we are and from where we came. Heirlooms are more than just a bunch of "old stuff." They give us insights to the hopes and dreams, values and possessions of those who went ahead of us. For the Jews, the past was everything! It gave them identity and a sense of purpose. God had told their forefather Abraham, "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Gen. 12:2-3). What an incredible promise—All peoples on earth will be blessed through you! The Jews were truly God's chosen people. Nothing communicated God's promise more distinctively nor identified one more exclusively with the Jewish nation as CIRCUMCISION. Circumcision—that strange ritual given to Abraham and practiced by Jews for thousands of years. Moses had stated it very plainly, "On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised" (Lev. 12:3). A little over a week after the birth of Jesus, the inspired writer says simply, "On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus …" Mary watched as her first-born son was given the covenant sign—a sign that identified him with God's covenant people and made him an heir of the promises God had given Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Very likely, the local rabbi in Bethlehem officiated and pronounced God's blessings upon the newborn. Today, Jewish circumcision rites follow this pattern: The Mohel (the one who does the circumcision) recites the blessing "Praised by Thou, O Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who hast sanctified us with Thy commandments, and commanded us concerning the rite of circumcision." The circumcision is then performed. The father recites a blessing, "Praised by Thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us by Thy commandments, and hast bidden us to make him enter into the covenant of Abraham our father." Those present respond, "As he has entered into the covenant, so may he be introduced to the study of Torah, to the wedding canopy, and to good deeds." Naming The wine is blessed, and a little wine is put on the mouth of the baby. A prayer for the well-being of the child and family is recited. The baby is given his Hebrew name in this prayer: Creator of the universe. May it be Thy gracious will to regard and accept this (performance of circumcision), as if I had brought this baby before Thy glorious throne. And Thou, in Thy abundant mercy, through Thy holy angels, give a pure and holy heart to ________, the son of ________, who was just now circumcised in honor of Thy great Name. May his heart be wide open to comprehend Thy holy Law, that he may learn and teach, keep and fulfill Thy laws. Seudat Mitzvah (Festive Meal) The ceremony is followed by a Seudat Mitzvah. Grace after the meal includes special prayers for the welfare of the child, parents, and Mohel. How similar this ceremony is to that practiced two thousand years ago, we do not know. What we do know is this—the little one who was blessed in the rite of circumcision was destined to be the very fulfillment of those blessings. See you next week!