The Feast of the Holy Name

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to thee, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly thine, utterly dedicated unto thee; and then use us, we pray thee, as thou wilt, and always to thy glory and the welfare of thy people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

The Feast of the Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, (is) also sometimes called the Feast of the Circumcision, since it is observed on the eighth day or “octave” of Jesus’ birth, when, in Jewish tradition, infant boys are circumcised and named, in accordance with the Law of Moses (Leviticus 12:3)

According to Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum in “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church: A User-Friendly Reference for Episcopalians” (Church Publishing, 2000), the observance of the Circumcision on the first day of January was originally designated as a fast day in A.D. 567, to counter pagan festivals that occurred at the beginning of each new year. Eventually it evolved into a feast day, celebrating the naming of Jesus and his circumcision; in Jewish tradition circumcisions are often a festive occasions, when family and friends gather to witness the naming of the child. (Bulletin Insert, www.episcopalchurch.org)