Luke 2:21         Pain on the Eighth Day

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     On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. (NIV84)   

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     Today (January 2) is the eighth day of Christmas. [at time of writing].   In this verse we find the God-baby is named Jesus at the very same time he receives his first stab of petrifying pain. How that infant would cry out, as all other Jewish babies did at the moment of circumcision. It was just the way it is. If you are human. If you are Jewish. If you have chosen to become a man, destined to suffer. The name Jesus and pain have come together on the 8th day.

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     On this eighth day of Christmas, Lord, I am letting go of the tinsel and the sweet scenes of laughter around the tree. The gifts are out of sight. And winter still threatens the soul on a sleepless night. Grant to me the faith and fortitude to dare to live with compassion for others like yours, even when pain points the way of obedience for me.

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