Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Reverend Wayne Palmer "Name Above All Names" Wednesday, 31 December 2014

Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Reverend Wayne Palmer "Name Above All Names" Wednesday, 31 December 2014 Read Matthew 1: The Birth of Jesus 18-19 The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn’t know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced. 20-23 While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.” This would bring the prophet’s embryonic sermon to full term: Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son; They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”). 24-25 Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.. "She will bear a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."[Matthew 1:21] Today we jump back a few weeks before Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple for His presentation. We look at Jesus' eighth day when He was circumcised and named. We will speak of the significance of His circumcision in tomorrow's devotion, but today we speak of the importance of His Name. Does a name mean much to you? To the people of Israel and to God a name was extremely important. Each name carried its own meaning and became an integral part of that child's life, often describing the character of that child. An Israelite boy's name was very significant, and it was usually given on the eighth day when he was circumcised. So on the eighth day when the Christ Child was circumcised, He was given the name Jesus, just as the angel had instructed Joseph and Mary. What a deep and profound Name! Jesus means "The LORD saves." It describes the purpose for which He descended from heaven and became human. As the angel told Joseph, Jesus would save His people from their sins. His Name perfectly fits who He was and that which He had come to do for us all. As we close out the year 2014, it is fitting to look back on the last 365 days and take account of our lives. What great things has God done for you or through you in this year? Give Him praise. On the other hand, what regrets do you have? What problems in your life are the still strong echoes of sinful and foolish choices you have made? At the beginning of this coming New Year we all want to wipe the slate clean and start 2015 with a fresh start. But neither regret nor resolution can wipe our slate clean. Only Jesus can do that. This is why many churches open their doors this night to hold New Year's Eve services -- often with Holy Communion. As we receive the very same body and blood which Jesus took on Himself at His conception, the same body which was laid in the manger at His birth, the same blood which was poured out for us on the cross, our sins are taken away, our slate is washed clean, and we are at peace with God our Father. That peace is not only for day one of 2015, but for every day that remains in this life and for all eternity. THE PRAYER: Lord God, thank You for a clean slate, washed clean by the blood of Jesus Christ. Renew us this New Year's Eve so that we may dedicate the coming year to living for Your glory and sharing the Name of Jesus throughout the world. We pray in His holy Name. Amen. The Lutheran Hour 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr. St. Louis, MO 63141 1-800-876-9880 ____________________________