On the Eighth Day of Christmas by Pastor Walter Snyder Did everyone have a good Christmas? I certainly hope so. I'm one of those fortunate enough to have Christmas continue. Even as I prepare this week's column, we're also getting ready for a trip to St. Louis, to have some time with a brother, an aunt, and other family and friends. Lord willing, and we'll get together for a few enjoyable days. Actually, Christmas continues every day. As far as I'm concerned, each day the Father continues to send His Son to us. This Thursday, January 1, is New Year's Day for much of the world. Many people, Christian or not, use it as a time of taking stock, evaluating decisions, and making resolutions. It's also the Church holiday commemorating the Circumcision and Naming of Jesus. Some churches celebrate one or the other of these events, some both, and some neither. The appointed Gospel for the day is the briefest in the Christian calendar: "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 date was chosen because it's the eighth day of Christmas. Old Testament Law (see Gen 17:12, Lev 12:3) required the circumcision of all males in order to bring them into the covenant. Normally, this was done on the eighth day. Once the Christian Church established a date for Christmas, the commemoration of His circumcision was set for one week later. Remembering this day reminds us that Christ fulfilled all the Law, even that specific only to Israel. He who was "born under the Law" now was under the Law Moses brought down Mount Sinai. As far as we know, this was the first time He felt pain on our behalf, the first blood He shed. The Name of Jesus is also important. As the angel told Joseph, "You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save his people from their sins. (Mt 1:21)" The name Jesus (the Greek form of Joshua) means, "He saves." So as you plan your new year and make resolutions, remember the One who resolved to set you free from your sins and give thanks that He came to fulfill the Law for us who couldn't and who has, indeed, saved us. Perhaps this is also a good time to ponder why so few churches have "New Year's Day" services anymore. With so much of Christ's gracious person and saving work on display this day, why do so few desire to enter His house to give Him thanks? Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from ~The Holy Bible, English Standard Version~, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Ask the Pastor, © 2003 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced in totality, including this disclaimer, by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said republication and redistribution. Translations into other languages should similarly note the United States and any appropriate international copyrights, as well as God's Scriptural injunctions concerning the property of others. Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."