On the eighth day Christ was circumcised. Eight days after Our Lord's birth, Jesus was circumcised according to the law of the Old Covenant, an event that is commemorated on January 1st.

In the Missale Romanum, January 1st is entitled In Octava Nativitatis Domini. Not only does this day complete the Nativity Octave, but it also commemorates an important event in Christ's infancy, His circumcision, as we read in the Gospel of St. Luke sung during the Mass: "And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb." Thus why this octave day is also referred to as the Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord.

We also read in the Gospel account that during Our Lord's circumcision, the name He was given to the Blessed Virgin Mary during the Annunciation, JESUS (meaning, "Yahweh saves") was formally bestowed upon Him. However, the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus is not celebrated until the first Sunday after the Nativity Octave, which this year falls on January 3th.

To commemorate the Octave Day in the Nativity of Our Lord — which also starts the secular calendar year — we offer some citations from Sacred Scripture about circumcision in the Old Covenant and a poem reflecting on this event in the redemptive life of Our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Old Covenant of Circumcision in Holy Writ:

“Again God said to Abraham: And thou therefore shalt keep my covenant, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my covenant which you shall observe, between me and you, and thy seed after thee: All the male kind of you shall be circumcised: And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, that it may be for a sign of the covenant between me and you. An infant of eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations: he that is born in the house, as well as the bought servant shall be circumcised, and whosoever is not of your stock: And my covenant shall be in your flesh for a perpetual covenant.” Genesis 17:9–13

“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying ...If a woman having received seed shall bear a man child ...on the eighth day the infant shall be circumcised.” Leviticus 12:1–3

The Circumcision of Our Lord — Readings and Propers of the Mass

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