Jesus’ Day 8

When Jesus was 8 days old he was named, circumcised and presented to the community. Based on earlier dates, this date can be known.

Background

The first time these Magi could have visited Jesus was at his 8th day. This is the first date that the "public" could view the new child. Until this point only family and any attending midwives could get close to Jesus.

The Magi from the east visited Herod before visiting Jesus. At this visit Herod pressed them for the exact date of Jesus’ birth.

As we have established in his birth story, Jesus was born on the holiday of Quirinus, the Roman Holiday dedicated to the god of War.

This birthday, would have been a serious omen to the pagan Herod. To Herod it would have been something like a bad astrological sign. Confirmation to Herod that this birth was not a good sign was the mere presence of the Magi themselves. Something spiritual was going on that caused these men from the east to travel a great distance in order to visit the child.

The following report shows Jesus’ birthday and then the 8th day, the date when he was named, circumcised and presented to the community.

This date is not as interesting as the other dates in this period because it is relatively quiet. This particular date will be much more interesting when we run out 2000th anniversaries. The prophetic fulfillment will follow the Magi story closely when Iran’s Khatami visits the United Nations.

At the 40th day things begin to get more interesting, something we look at next.