---"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." --[ISAIAH 7:14] --
--HERE'S one conversation Mary didn't have to have with Joseph as they awaited the birth of the baby she was carrying: "Joseph, what should we name the baby?" Unlike most people awaiting, a birth, they had no question about what they would call the child.
The angels who visited Mary and then Joseph told them both that the baby's name would be Jesus (Matthew 1:20-21; Luke 1:30-31). The angel that appeared to Joseph explained that this name indicated that the baby would "save his people from their sins."
He would also be called "Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14), which means "God is with us," because He would be God in human form--deity wrapped in swaddling clothes. The prophet Isaiah revealed additional titles of "Wonderful Counselor," "Mighty God," "Everlasting Father," and Prince of Peace" (9:6), because He would be all of those things.
It's always exciting to name a new baby. But no other baby had such a powerful, exciting, world-changing name as the one who was "Jesus who is called the Messiah" (Matthew 1:16). What a thrill for us to be able to "call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:2)! There's no other name that saves (Acts 4:12).
Let's praise Jesus and contemplate everything He means to us this Christmas Season! [And every season!] The Church (people of Jesus) should be shouting to the housetop that our Lord Jesus Christ is Alive!
--"Thank You, heavenly Father, for sending us One who is our Savior, our Counselor, our Prince of Peace, and our Messiah. I celebrate His birth because I know that His life and death and resurrection purchased for us eternal life. Blessed be the Name above all names, JESUS CHRIST~ "
