Midweek Devotion 9 January 2025 (originally intended for 1 January delayed by snow/vacation)

Reading

Luke 2:21

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.

Devotion

Happy New Year, dear reader!!  Today's work of art is taken from an Orthodox illuminated manuscript entitled "The Menologion of Basil II" and dates from about 980.  The manuscript currently resides in the Vatican Library if you are lucky enough to have access to that!  A facsimile was published in 1907.

The art displays the verse from Luke talking about Jesus' circumcision, a normal part of a Jewish newborn boy's experience under the Law during which a name would also be bestowed.  Beyond the canonical reference in the Gospel of Luke the non-canonical apocryphal Arabic Infancy Gospel from about the 6th Century.  The pigments are bright.  Perhaps the mountain in the background is Mt. Sinai representing the Law?  We see Mary already portrayed in the traditional blue and has a sorrowful expression on her face.  Perhaps she is anticipating the future blood that will be shed?  The elderly Joseph's gray hair highlights his age.  The baby Jesus' eyes appear locked onto the knife held by the Mohel to the right.

As we begin the new year, I am pondering the cost of receiving a name.  English theologian Jeremy Taylor wrote: "And then he took upon him that name, which declared him to be the Savior of the world; which as it was consummate in the blood of the cross, so it was inaugurated in the blood of circumcision: for 'when eight days were accomplished for circumcising of the Child, his name was called Jesus.'" Nothing seems to come without cost.  What is it that I hold dear, particularly this new year?  Am I willing to bear the cost?  What about you, dear reader?  Any new year's resolutions in your spiritual life?  May you be richly blessed with the resources to achieve them!

Prayer

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. (Book of Common Prayer)