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Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord and Octave-day of the Nativity

January 1

In the Old Law, by the rite of Circumcision, every male Jew became a member, and shared in the privileges and blessings of the chosen people of God. A Jew who failed to be initiated by the ceremony was excluded. Our Lord is Son of God by nature, and absolutely sinless, and therefore did not need adoption into the membership of God's children. Yet, He submitted to the law. The Church also honors on this day the Holy Name of Jesus, given to the Divine Child at the Circumcision.

Updated Wednesday, March 12, 2003