Interoffice Interfaith

After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child. – Luke 2:21 (NRSV) 

“Happy secular New Year!” I said to the rabbi who stopped by my office early in January. 

“You too!” she said. “I’m never sure if that’s what I’m supposed to say to Christians, though.”  

“Why not?” I asked.  

“Well, because isn’t January 1^st the date of Jesus’s bris?” 

“Oh. Uh…yes? Probably? But I think maybe that’s just the really liturgical Christians? Hey!” Here the rabbi and the minister turned to yell to the Catholic in the office across the hall. “Do you guys celebrate the Feast of the Circumcision on January 1^st?” 

“No,” the Catholic across the hall hollered back. “That’s the Solemnity of Mary. It’s also the Octave of Christmas. Are you talking about when they took Jesus to Jerusalem?” 

“That’s the Feast of the Presentation,” said the Protestant. “I know that one’s on Candlemas, February 2^nd. Anyway,” I said, turning back to the rabbi as the Catholic came out of her office to join us. “It’s not like we have any idea when Jesus was actually born, so…” 

“What?!” the rabbi said. “Really?” 

And I’m just here to say the kingdom of heaven will be like three people huddled over a computer, a smart phone, and reference books in two ancient tongues, avoiding their inboxes to talk Marian devotion, comparative religion, how to say “circumcision” in multiple languages, and how in the world you can possibly get eight days out of the period between December 25^th and January 1^st, not to mention how their kids are doing and what they did over the break. 

Oh, and also: happy belated Feast of the Circumcision (which is indeed on January 1^st) to all who celebrate. 

Prayer
For good colleagues, open hearts, and all the gifts of difference, thank you. Amen.

About the Author
Quinn G. Caldwell is Chaplain of the Protestant Cooperative Ministry at Cornell University. His most recent book is a series of daily reflections for Advent and Christmas called All I Really Want: Readings for a Modern Christmas. Learn more about it and find him on Facebook at Quinn G. Caldwell.