The Gospel of Luke 2:15-21
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 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.
Collect of the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus
Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Reflection on The Gospel of Luke 2:15-21
If we start with Christmas Day, December 25, and count eight days, we come to January 1. It is on the eighth day of Christmas that the Church celebrates the Holy Name of Jesus. We celebrate the Holy Name of Jesus on this eighth day of Christmas because it was on the eighth day that Jesus was circumcised and received his name.
Today’s passage narrates the shepherds’ visit to see the newborn Jesus and their reactions afterward.
When the angels left them, the shepherds immediately decided to go to Bethlehem to see what had happened. Their prompt obedience reflects their faith and trust in God’s message. It reminds us of the importance of responding promptly and faithfully to God’s calling in our lives.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen. Their joy and worship remind us of the appropriate response to God’s marvelous deeds: praise and thanksgiving. It encourages us to cultivate a heart of gratitude and worship in response to God’s goodness.
Glorifying and Praising God
If we reread and reflect on Luke 2:15-21 it invites us to consider our response to God’s revelations, the importance of sharing our faith, and the call to worship and gratitude. It also emphasizes the value of reflection and the fulfillment of God’s promises in our lives.
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, Inspired by the shepherds who shared the news of Your birth with joy, empower us to spread the gospel with enthusiasm and love. Fill our hearts with the desire to proclaim Your salvation and grace to those around us. Let our lives be a testament to Your goodness and a beacon of hope for others. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Reflections by Bob 