“And She Will Bring Forth A Son”

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-25

There is a reason for everyone’s name, and in some cases it also conveys a special meaning.

The angel of the Lord told Joseph exactly what he was to do, and what name his Son would have – Jesus would be His name, and “He would save his people from their sins.”

Jesus came to turn darkness into light, to transform our despair into hope, and to save us from our sins.

Jesus’ name and mission are the same – He came to save us.

Our Daily Bread – December 1, 2015