The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.

 (i) Circumcision. Every Jewish boy was circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. So sacred was that ceremony that it could be carried out even on a Sabbath when the law forbade almost every other act which was not absolutely essential; and on that day a boy received his name. 