Fulfilling the Covenant

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Luke 2:21)

This reading is assigned for today, eight days after the birth of Christ, when his circumcision occurred. This ties Christ to the promise given in Genesis 17: "9And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. 10This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised."

Paul will answer the question about there is a need to be circumcised to be a follower of Christ in great detail in Galatians (short answer - No!). Today, we observe Christ's circumcision as the fulfillment of the law, and Christ's own suffering, death and resurrection completes the covenant God made to Abraham, Israel and to us. 

On New Year's Day, we go back to Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

On his eighth day of Christmas, we see Christ follow the law (via his parents) through his circumcision. The plans God has for us, to prosper and give us a hope and a future, lie in Christ's fulfillment of the covenant. 

Have a blessed New Year and a blessed continuation of Christmas.