— Matthew 1:21

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Names in the Bible were truly significant because they often told us something about the person. This is particularly true of God whose many names are of utmost significance—every name of God in the Bible reveals something about Him.

When the angel visited Joseph, we read that Joseph was instructed to name the baby, Jesus. Whilst ‘Jesus’ is a fairly common Jewish name, it comes with huge significance.

‘Jesus’ is an English rendering of the Greek name Iēsous, which is a translation of the ancient Hebrew Yehoshua. This name is formed from Hebrew roots signifying “Jehovah is salvation”

The name Jesus is also significant because of who it represents—it means “God our Saviour”. Jesus Christ is Immanuel “God with us”.

Jesus name was chosen for Him by God.

Jesus’ name was a constant reminder of what God was going to accomplish.

The name Jesus reminds us about the amazing humility of the Son of God when he came as a man to die. As His followers, we must also strive to show the same selfless humility that Jesus demonstrated while on earth.

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” ([Philippians 2:5–8](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Phil%202.5%E2%80%938))

However, Jesus is not just a name of unmatched humility; it is also a name of infinite exaltation. His name is glorified far above every other name:

“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” ([Philippians 2:9–11](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Phil%202.9%E2%80%9311); cf. [Acts 4:12](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Acts%204.12))

Praise the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our awesome Saviour!

— Luke 2:8:16

“A Spiritual Time”.

You may be aware of the quote by French philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin..

“We are not humans having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience”

Sometimes we forget this. We get caught up in ‘life’ we often forget our actual purpose and the fact that ‘it’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.” Eph 1:1 TM

The Shepherds, as we read in Luke 2 were just living out their daily duties until they un-expectantly had quite the spiritual time.

We may not have angels visit us, as the shepherds did but we can have that amazing spirit filled experience. Even better, if we allow it, it is not a one time event, it’s a wonderful relationship that blesses every day.

The angels announced that the Saviour of the world has been born. This baby is the Messiah, Jesus the Christ the Son of the living God.

It is in Christ and only in Him that we find our identity and can have that spiritual connection we are all seeking.

We may think we know best, but God knows everything about us. He made you to love you and to give you purpose, one that only you can fulfil. We cannot find that identity in others, our job, our hobby or accomplishments or causes, if we try, we will only be disappointed.

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus and committed to following Him, why wait any longer?

Perhaps you are not feeling particularly spiritual; it may be time to evaluate how much you let Jesus in?

If you are following Jesus, then let’s join with the angels and praise God…

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favour rests”

Luke 2:14 NIV

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me and giving me the opportunity to accept You. I confess my sin, and I believe that You are my Saviour. I receive You into every aspect of my life as my Lord. I turn everything over to You. Jesus, I want to use the rest of my life to serve You instead of serving myself, I commit to You and ask You to show me my purpose and accept me into your family. In Your name I pray, AMEN.

Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing will be impossible”.

This verse comes at the end of the Angel’s announcement of Christ’s birth to Mary. Mary is told of the miraculous conception and birth of our Lord Jesus. Like all of the promises we find in the Word, this promise came true. For what is impossible with man is possible with God. And this truth is equally true for you as it is for me.

Nothing is impossible with respect to any of God’s promises. Jesus is the fulfilment of all that God has promised—for all things are in Him and of Him and for Him.

God is the power behind everyone of His promises and God is the truth behind all of His Word. God is the omniscient mind behind all of His plans. No promise from God will ever fail.

This truth is fully consistent with the perfect nature of God’s character and totally compatible with His eternal perfection. If God has promised, nothing will stand in the way.

Our challenge is to consciously live out this fact, that all things are possible with God, and demonstrate that same trusting faith that was expressed by Mary—that nothing is impossible to God, even when we don’t understand.

Prayer: Loving Father, thank You for Your Word and the many promises that fill its pages. Thank You that nothing is impossible with respect to any of Your precious promises not only to me individually but to all people. Forgive me for the times I have doubted Your Word and help me to stand firm in all that You have promised, in Jesus name I pray, AMEN.