Name Him Jesus

Advent Day 21

Third Saturday in Advent

December 17, 2011

Reading: Matthew 1:20–21 (NRSV)

²⁰ But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Theme: Name Him Jesus

Reflection:

Naming a child is one of the great dilemmas that new parents face. What does the name mean? How does it sound with our last name? What persona will this name create for this new baby? In Biblical times, naming a child had even more significance. For the Hebrew people, a child’s name was not just a label, or the way he/she was called. The name was the essence of the person. Children were typically named after a relative who was no longer living. Some of the relative’s identity was thought to be transferred to the child.

The angel tells Joseph that the child to be born to Mary is to be called Jesus (the Hebrew version of this is Joshua) because he will save his people from their sins. Jesus’ name, given before he was born, gives his identity as the Savior. His name is derived from a Hebrew verb (yasha) which means to save, deliver or liberate.

Imagine Jesus, growing up from a young age, aware that his name means that he is to save his people. Even for a child whose is both human and divine that is a large responsibility to put on small child. Jesus’ identity was shaped by his name, and the community’s awareness of what his name would have signified.

As we come ever closer to the celebration of this child’s birth, let us thank God for sending a Savior to us—the young child who bears the responsibility of saving us.

Prayer: Loving God, we thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus—the One who Saves. Help us to realize the magnitude of your gift and to express our gratitude in love. Amen