I will admit that in my early years of ministry, I always was a little uncomfortable with preaching the circumcision and naming of Jesus on New Year’s Day. No, it wasn’t talking about circumcision itself that name me a little less than comfortable. It was just that it seemed like an odd thing to hit people with when all they have on their mind is the ups and downs year before and their hope for the years to come.
But the more I understand circumcision the more comfortable I am. It is terribly appropriate for entering the new year. What is circumcision about?
First, it is about being part of God’s people.
Genesis 17:10-14 Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, 13 both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant."
Secondly, it is about being given a new heart.
Deuteronomy 30:6 And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
Third, it is about being given a new name and identity.
Genesis 17:5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.
Luke 2:21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
And as new covenant people, circumcision is therefore about baptism. For baptism is the circumcision of Christ for us. It makes us part of God’s people, gives us a new heart, and a new name.
Colossians 2:11-12 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
And what more could you want when considering a new year than knowing that you are a part of God people. That the ugly part of your past has been cut off an you have been given a new heart. And you have been given a new name as a child of God. Happy New Year!
