His name was called Jesus

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¹⁵ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. ¹⁶ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. ¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. ¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. ²¹ And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Reflect

The shepherds hurry to Bethlehem and spread the news, while 'Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.' On the eighth day the child is circumcised and named Jesus, as the angel had said. January 1 is kept as the Naming and Circumcision of Jesus by Anglicans, the Name of Jesus by many Lutherans, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God by Catholics, and the Circumcision of the Lord by Orthodox churches.

Pray

Jesus, the angel gave you your name before you were born. Teach me to call on your name each day of this new year, and to ponder your work as Mary did. Amen.