Thoughts for Life: What to Name the Baby

Dave Branon- 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 this 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." (Google image, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus)

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, 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!" Dave Branon

Our ability to make peace with the Father is made possible because of what the baby accomplished when He became a man. The sacrifice of His life on the cross, is the Father’s provision for us to enter His presence and to receive His righteousness. As we are sinners, born that way from birth, there had to be a way made to eradicate our sinful nature.

As Jesus was perfect in every way, He was the Chosen One of all creation to fulfil the order of the needed sacrifice for redeeming mankind. We are indeed blessed with the most perfect Savior that could be provided! Ask the Father for this Holy One to become yours today. Invite Him into your heart and soul, and make peace with the Father. Joy, peace and Heaven await you, my friend.

Let's pray-

"Thank You, heavenly Father, for sending us One who is our Savior, our counselor, our Prince of Peace, and our Messiah. [we] celebrate His birth because [we] know that His life and death and resurrection purchased eternal life for [us]. " Dave Branon

396-400 one-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

396- Job 19:25 "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth."

397- Ps. 119:28 "My soul melteth for heaviness; strengthen thou me according unto thy word."

398- Ps. 59:17 "Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy."

399- Matt. 27:37 "And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS."

340- Luke 17:25 "But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation."

Quote for today-

~ Ron Hutchcraft- Perhaps the most devastating loss of all this year has been lost hope. The upheavals of this year have snatched many of our hope sources from our hands. Our hopes have proven to be fragile. Losable. We are in the storm of our lives without a harbor. Without an anchor.

But hope is part of that "good news" of Christmas. Because Jesus came and added a word to "life" . . . "everlasting." He brought eternity to us. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). And He proved He can give eternal life with His death-shattering resurrection.

This isn't all there is. Our pain and loss and dying are a dot on a huge canvas called eternity. Where Jesus promised "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4). I can make it through a long, hard winter if I know there's spring on the other side. And that spring will last forever.

Words of wisdom-

~ If you're looking for new wonderment concerning Christmas, look to the Creator for His perspective on why we celebrate this Special Day. He has the ability to bring you into the fresh curiosity of a child, so be open for fresh revelation. When you spend some time with Him, you'll discover He wants to meet with you to reveal the love He sent in the form of the lowly Child of Bethlehem.

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