“When 8 days were completed…” ~ reflex on Lk 2:16-21

It’s still Christmas, for the Church! We have at least 12 Days of Christmas, or 40, if you’d like to continue to ponder these mysteries until the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the Purification of Mary.

It is good to remember that numbers are valuable signs in the life of the Church and Salvation History: three, seven, eight, twelve, forty… All are filled with rich Scriptural and traditional meaning.

Here we are already on the Eighth Day of Christmas, the day we honor Mary as the Mother of God and (historically) the feast day of Jesus’ circumcision, when he was given the name the angel had told Mary (Lk 1:31).

Why does this happen on the eighth day? While the number seven represents fullness and completion (like the seventh day of creation), the eighth day symbolizes a new beginning and sanctification, beyond the natural order. While the Sabbath celebrated by the Israelites was focused on the seventh day of the week to point to the completion of creation, we celebrate on the “Eighth Day,” Sunday – a day that is beyond the natural week, and points to a new creation and a new beginning in Christ’s Resurrection. Just as the Covenant is beyond the natural order, so the sign of a child’s participation in the Covenant points beyond the natural order (in Leviticus 22, an animal for offering must be at least eight days old; circumcision on the eighth day is described in Leviticus 12), and so circumcision was done on the eighth day.

Jesus receives the name that means “Savior,” and though he is not subject to the Laws of Purification, he humbles himself in obedience to the commands given to the Chosen People. The One Who came to free us from sin and the Law submits to the Law of Moses and receives the sign of sinners, to fulfill the law! Later, Jesus will submit himself to be baptized in the Jordan to further identify himself fully with sinful humanity. This newborn Infant, lying in a manger, is truly one of us.

Today, let us imitate the inner workings of the heart of our Mary, who “kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” It is only by gazing silently at the moments presented in Scripture that we can gradually begin to see the glorious plan of God, and learn what it means for us in our daily lives. Just as God did not reveal to Mary or Joseph a step-by-step plan, so we also must walk day by day in faith, without any bullet points or instructions. His will is known in the silence of our hearts. So let us ask Mary to help us to be open, and to ponder God’s actions with the same loving obedience and trust. Let us ask for the grace to be as eager as the shepherds to gather around the manger near Mary and Joseph, to receive the warm light of God’s gentle love.