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What Did They Name the Baby?

Part 2

When a new arrival is announced, the first question asked is usually, “What did they name the baby?” A name immediately gives identity to the newborn. Interestingly enough, when God sent His Son that first Christmas so long ago, the naming of the Child played a prominent part in the story. The names tell much about who He is and why He came. Our December series considers the various names given the infant Son.

The Prophet Calls Him “Immanuel”

Last week we observed the significance of the name “Jesus” given to the newborn child. The angel gave this name to both Mary and Joseph before the child was born. The name refers to His purpose in coming, “to save his people from their sins.”

After relating Joseph’s experience, the gospel writer Matthew inserts a note in the narrative which gives another dimension to the story:
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, "God with us" (Matthew 1:22-23).
This Child’s birth had been announced centuries before by the prophet Isaiah, so devout Jews should not have been surprised when a young virgin gave birth to a son. His name “Immanuel” tells us the Child not only will save from sin, but His presence will remain with us day after day.

The significance of this name goes back to the Garden of Eden when God Himself daily walked with Adam and Eve. After their sin, this fellowship was broken.  Throughout Old Testament history God reached toward mankind to renew the fellowship.

Noah and Enoch had the unique relationship of walking with God. Abraham was called by God and became His friend. Of Isaac it is said that God was with him, as He had been with his father Abraham. The same is said of Jacob.

Joseph was set apart because Pharoah recognized the Spirit of God was with him. Each godly leader in the history of Israel had this same distinction. The curse upon Cain in Genesis 4 was that “he went out from the Lord’s presence.”

When the Christmas Child was born, however, a new door to God’s presence was opened. Not just a few elite persons set apart for leadership would know this relationship with God, but the opportunity was offered to anyone who would receive Him.

The Apostle John writes: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14).  “Dwelling” referred the Old Testament tabernacle in which the manifest presence of God dwelt. John is saying that with Christ’s birth, God is present among His people once again. In Christ, the relationship broken in the Garden of Eden was restored.

Those of us who have accepted Christ as Savior know the wondrous miracle of sensing His presence. We felt it first when we received forgiveness of sins. That presence is renewed every time we approach Him in prayer. “Immanuel” is not just a name to us; it describes the daily experience of knowing God’s presence.

The story is told that John Wesley lay in a coma before his death. After several hours he opened his eyes and requested, “Someone read the 46th Psalm.” This is the psalm which affirms God’s presence by the repeated refrain: “The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.”

After the reading the old minister opened his eyes once again and firmly declared, “Best of all, God is with us.” He then closed his eyes for the last time.

The best part of Christmas is not the gifts, the dinners or the family times together. The best part of Christmas is knowing the Christ Child, “Immanuel,” in a personal way. “Best of all, Immanuel!”

Points to Ponder:

Sometimes we might think it is easy enough for great leaders like Abraham to know God, but we wonder if God is interested in the unknowns like us.

The refrain from Psalm 46 assures us that God is interested in the individual. True, He is Lord of all the hosts of heaven, but He is also the God of Jacob, the recalcitrant individual. If God can be with Jacob He can be with any repentant sinner who calls upon His name.

PEGGY MUSGROVE is a licensed Assemblies of God minister. She is also a speaker, freelance writer, author and prayer group leader. Her latest book, Musings of a Maraschino Cherry was released in 2004.. You can visit her at www.musgroveville.com.

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