On 1 January while many people are still sleeping and getting over from their late night attempts at staying awake and watching another New Year come in traditional Catholics will be at their local parish. Why?

It is eight days after Christmas and in the old Jewish law all male children had to be circumcised on the eighth day. It was on this day that Christ first shed His blood for us. It also shows the Holy Family’s obedience to the laws of God.

Let us remember that the sacrifice of the Holy Child wasn’t the first time Christ shed His blood for us. May the blood of the Redeemer be shed for many who can not see beyond themselves.