Worthy!

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet.

In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Juliet argues the folly of judging her lover simply by his family's last name: Does his name alter his character?

In Hebrew tradition, naming could be a very big deal. Throughout the Bible, we see occasions in which God named or changed the names of people in order to reflect a transformation in their character or a revelation of God's plan for their life. A name was an expression of essence; to know a person's name was to know their virtue. Even today, many Jewish parents choose to name their children after a deceased relative, keeping the deceased's essence "alive" and, hopefully, inspiring their child to emulate their namesake's best qualities. 

Over the past month or so we've probably heard some portion of "the Christmas story" read from Luke 2. The census, the inn, the shepherds. But in the book of Luke, the account begins with an angel appearing to a priest named Zacharias. The angel tells him that his aging, barren wife would have a son and his name would be John. According to custom, his name was formally given to him eight days after his birth. Those gathered were a bit taken aback: there was no one in the family who bore the name John. Why had Zacharias and Elizabeth chosen that name? Well, because the angel had instructed them and they obeyed. Because God had set him apart even before he was born; because God had a plan; because he was to be "John the Baptist," the herald to Christ, eating locusts and wild honey, hanging out in the wilderness. But here is where I'd like to draw your attention: 

But they said to her, ~ Luke 1:61

They? They who? Well, going back to verse 58, it says Elizabeth's neighbors and relatives rejoiced with her over the birth of John the Baptist. I think it's safe to assume the they referred to in verse 61, are neighbors and relatives who were gathered for the naming and the circumcision.

With all of that being said, now take a look at Luke 2:21:

And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

That's it. This Christ child born into obscurity is eight days later, circumcised and named with, apparently, no fanfare, no neighbors and relatives standing by. There is one single verse that records the event of His bris (circumcision) and naming. Joseph and Mary aren't even given a single line in this script. Even Luke's account of John the Baptist's naming leaves the town all abuzz (v. 66). But the birth of the King of kings, the long-awaited Messiah...

Here we are, eight days after Christmas, the day Joseph and Mary would have, according to Jewish law, had Jesus circumcised; His name would have been formally given. And it was. In a ceremony that is not immortalized with crowds or caterers or even more than a single verse. No doubt, in our homes, Christmas 2022 has already been or is in the process of being relegated to ancient history. Plastic mistletoe and jingle bells have been stowed away; the ceramic baby Jesus has been carefully swaddled, preserving Him for His reappearance next December. The gaiety and buzz of our holiday has been exchanged for the routine and prosaic. May it leave room for greater celebration in our hearts. Each day, every day. Yeshua (Jesus), our salvation! Shiloh, our peace! Immanuel, God with us! Our King may have made Himself lowly for our sakes, but the circumstances of His birth and the modesty of His naming do not negate the mightiness and honor of His character. He is worthy! And His name is above every other name! May His name be praised!