Pious Lutheran

The Light of the World , William Holman Hunt, 1904 Make ready your hearts For Christ. Why was there circumcision in the Bible? Circumcision of the heart Don, therefore, the name of Christ and your baptism this new year From a secular perspective we consider today New Years’ Eve and tomorrow New Years’ Day. However, in the church January 1st is the Feast of the Circumcision and Naming of Jesus. The appointed Gospel for this day of the church year is the shortest of them at just one verse: “ Luke 2:21: 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. ”  This may seem like a strange thing to celebrate, especially since on Sunday we heard about Jesus being presented in the temple at 40 days old, and now we go back to the eighth day. However, 8 days after December 25th is January 1st, so it is only logical that we Christians would observe this. From ancient times Christians refused to even acknow...

The Glorification of the Name of Jesus , Antoon Sallaert, circa 1630 Baptism is the greater circumcision Circumcision was the seal of God’s covenant promise. Baptism is the new and greater seal of God’s promise in Christ. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  The first day of a new year has already arrived. The joys of 2022 are in the past, and so are all of those sorrows. Some of our congregation has been called to the nearer presence of our Lord over this past year. Over the course of this year, some of us also may depart this life to be with our Lord. It’s fitting therefore that we wouldn’t spend our days in sinful revelry, but rather use these days wisely so as to prepare to receive the inheritance of God’s kingdom.  We have much to contend with in this life which would block us from that reward: satan, temptations, and our own sinful flesh, so let us fight the good fight of faith this year. Many make resolutions which fail right off the bat. But let us, my brothers and sis...