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Reflections

 

What Did They Name the Baby?

Part 4

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.

Wise Men Call Him King

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him’” (Matthew 2:1,2, NIV).

Jesus, Immanuel, Savior, Christ, Lord, Lamb of God, Good Shepherd—the names and titles of this infant are getting longer. Much too long to put on a common birth certificate!

And just when we think we have seen and heard them all, a strange delegation arrives from the east with even a stranger story. They tell about an unusual star that, according to their tradition, signified the birth of a king deserving their adulation.

Many scholars believe the wise men arrived as much as two years after the birth of Jesus, based on Herod’s reaction of killing all infant boys under that age. It would have taken the magi approximately that long to travel the nearly 1000 miles from where their journey most likely originated. And whom were they seeking? A newborn king. And why? That they could worship Him.

Today is Christmas Day! By the time you read this, probably much of your celebration of Christmas will be over. You have seen the infant Jesus in the manger. You have sung “O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord,” and maybe even “O Come, O Come Immanuel.” His names fill the music of Christmas.

As you put away the trappings of Christmas, remember the guys who didn’t make it to the manger, but showed up later and gave the Child one more name. The infant born to save people from sins also is the one who will reign on His father David’s throne. He is called King of the Jews, but He is much more than that. We see Him ultimately in Revelation 19 as ruler of all nations, King of kings and Lord of lords.

With the wise men, let us worship Him long after Christmas Day.

Points to Ponder:

By the time Christmas arrives, many of us are exhausted with the wrappings and trappings of the season. It is right for us to celebrate this event, one of the two most important events in history. The celebration must never cause us to lose sight of the significance of the event itself.

Our festivities are only the wrappings, Jesus is the gift. Let us join with Paul and say, “Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.”

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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