August 29, 2010

Effective family living, according to the ancient Jewish traditions, involved an interaction between nuclear family, community and religious environment, as evidenced in Luke 2:21-24.

The first reality this text points toward is the rigorous attention given in ancient Judaism to the awareness of health as foundational to effective families.  Eight days after Jesus’ birth he was circumcised. Circumcision was not exclusive to Judaism, in spite of that impression that one might assume from the way it is constantly put forward in Hebrew scripture as a defining point between the Hebrew people and their Canaanite neighbors. Actually, Egypt and other surrounding communities held this act up as critical to male children’s health and well being as well. The important point is that an awareness of health is a basic part of what the Jews held as a part of their family rituals of socialization.

At this eight day ceremony, the child’s name is established. According to the text he is called Jesus, a name given by the angels. There is a profound insight in this concept of naming. The name was not just selected by a family; it was given because it had some cosmic significance. In Hebrew, it was Joshua, In Greek it was Jesus, but the significance is in the root of the name Yahweh, shua, God saves.

For family ministry, the key is that a name is the primary identity by which one derives his or her place in the world. Among African American young people the craze is to give children names that are African sounding but devoid of significance. Churches would do well to mentor parents in selecting Effective names for children. African names often have profound significance. These names should represent values, not just be African sounding.