Wednesday, December 12, 2012

December 13, 2012


"But after he had considered 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 home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21

It was in December of 1903, that after many attempts, the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, were successful in getting their "flying machine" off the ground and into the air at Kitty Hawk. Thrilled over the accomplishment, they telegraphed this message to their sister Katherine: "We have actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas." Katherine hurried to the editor of the local newspaper and showed him the message. He glanced at it and said, "How nice. The boys will be home for Christmas." He totally missed the big news ----- for the first time in human history, man had flown!
 
I love that story! Here is a small town newspaper with the chance to break a story of a historic accomplishment that forever change history, and he total missed the point! I wonder how that worked out for him?
 
Granted the flight was only the distance from home plate to second base, but it had never been done before and it was CERTAINLY newsworthy! Someone somewhere got the story but this poor guy missed the chance of a lifetime!
 
When I think of this editor I think of so many people, who like him, miss the whole point of Christmas. The point of Christmas is CHRIST!
 
It isn't Xmas!
 
It isn't just a "holiday"!
 
It is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Who came to "save His people from their sins". There is not only significance in the Person Who was born in that manger in the stable behind the inn, but there is tremendous importance in His Name, "Jesus"!
 
The name "Jesus" that the angel announced originated from the Hebrew "Yeshua" and it means "to deliver" or "to rescue" or "to save". In the Old Testament this name was rendered "Joshua". Joshua, who had the huge responsibility of following Moses in leading God's people over the Jordan and into Canaan - the Land of Promise.
 
Likewise, the Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to a virgin was given the powerful and prophetic name of "Jesus" because as the angel proclaimed, "He would save His people from their sins." He would, indeed, "rescue", "deliver" or "save" His people from their sins.
 
And did He ever "save" His people and "rescued" them from sin and "delivered" them from death!
 
That is why there is power in the Name of Jesus! That is why we call it "CHRISTmas" - because Jesus was born to become the Messiah that would "save His people from their sin".

What's in a name? When it is the name of Jesus - EVERYTHING!
 
Praise the NAME of Jesus!
 
Merry CHRISTmas!