Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”
NL Daily Devotion for Friday, December 29, 2023
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Jesus was a human boy, a member of the Jewish community. One of the most incredible things to hold onto when we think about Jesus’ birth was that he, although God, was also entirely a particular human being at a particular time in a particular place and culture. At eight days old, he was taken to the temple for a bris—circumcision—and formal naming. This simple fact leads to others: he had to have his diapers changed, learn to eat, to walk, to talk, to dress himself. He probably fell down and scraped his knees on more than one occasion. Chances are he was naughty sometimes—some people might not want to believe that, holding onto the fact that Jesus, being God, was perfect. But I’m pretty sure that Jesus was also a toddler, testing boundaries to see where he ended and the world began. He had favorite foods. He got bug bites. Sometimes he couldn’t sleep. I love taking time to think of all the ways Jesus was just like me, and know that he understands what it feels like when I accidentally burn myself in the kitchen, or stub my toe, or feel fear about my parents’ health issues or troubles in my community. Yes, Jesus was God. But God in a way that God had never been before. I find that a great comfort.
What does it mean to me that Jesus was fully human and part of a particular human community?
