On this 8th day after Christmas, the “Octave” of Christmas, we commemorate the day when Jesus would have been circumcised according to the Jewish law and given his name. This was a ritual common to all Jewish boys. The rite of circumcision made them a member of God’s family. St. Joseph officially giving Jesus his name made him a legal member of Joseph’s family. While belonging to both families, the human and the divine, Jesus always remains God. Hence, we also honor Mary today with the title Mother of God.
Let us resolve in this new year to honor the holy names of Jesus and Mary. One powerful way to do this is to pray the rosary often. The beautiful Ave Maria prayer has us naming Jesus and Mary over and over. I invite you to considering praying the rosary with your family and inviting other. A great way to do this is available at http://www.dailyrosary.net.
May Jesus and Mary bless and protect us in the new year ahead. And may our families be more conformed to the image of the Holy Family each day.