By Lisa Wilmore
Scripture Reading: The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly. But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21).
In my lifetime, I have had an opportunity to share moments with mothers during their “baby showers” and the baby’s “gender reveal”. When I walk into the room, during either of these two events, they are so welcoming and beautifully decorated. In fact, the guests ask the question, “Who did the decorations?” The environment is one that women bask in which foster excitement yet a warm and loving atmosphere. If you have not been to a baby shower lately, you will be in awe when you walk in the room. It is a great deal different from thirty (30) years ago.
In attending baby showers, one of the most interesting sights to see is the monogramed table décor. The baby’s name is monogramed or marked on practically everything. Little baby this or little baby that. Of course, later, when the baby is born, we hear the parents use the name that was given before he or she came into the world.
In our selected Text for this message, God names His Son and informs Joseph what name to give the baby, which is carried by Mary, his espoused wife. Of course, the baby’s name had been prophesied in Old Testament Scriptures.
He tells him, “You are to name Him Jesus”. Undoubtably, in modern times, if Mary had a shower for her baby, the Name, Jesus, may have been and marked on everything in the room. Now, that would have been a marvelous sight to see.
Nevertheless, this Name and Person was significant because, “He will save His people from sin” (Matthew 1:21c). Scripture reminds us, “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
God goes beyond in just naming Him, Jesus. He tells Joseph, through His angel, why to name Him Jesus. “She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
