Many Names, One Savior

Year 5-Day 336: Today...I am grateful for many names and one Savior. 

One of my favorite pages in my journaling Bible is my "Names of God" page. I created it as a reflection of the question Jesus asked Peter, "Who do you say that I am?" 

If Jesus stood before us today and asked us that very same simple question, how would we respond? "Who do you say that I am?" 

As Christmas songs play everywhere, what names for Christ do we hear? Take a minute and write them down. Look for the less common and your favorites, too. In recent years, Immanuel meaning "God With Us" has become a favorite of mine. 

As Christmas lights sparkle in and on homes around us, it is easy to miss the light of the mystery that unfolded more than 2000 years ago in a Bethlehem stable. Oh yes, the "wondering when" was answered. 

The promised Messiah was here. Wrapped in swaddling clothes... cradled in his mother's arms for warmth and comfort. 

Kind, generous and faithful Joseph snuggled with them... with awe...  and feeling as helpless as every new father after the birth of his first child. This child he did not father, but loved as his own, holding nothing back. God, a woman, a man... and now a God-child. What do you call him? 

His name was decided long before that star speckled night in the Bethlehem: 

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”-Matthew 1:20-21

"But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus." -Matthew 1:25

"And his name will be the hope of all the world.”-Matthew 12:21 

Jesus means "The Lord Saves Us". Hope was born that night, and the he would be known by many names. To many to list here, but have fun making your own. 

Love came down and took on human skin with all of the struggles and challenges of daily living with other humans. He took on human physical limitations and struggles, but remained faithful to the Father's call on his life. He sought guidance in prayer. He experienced being stretched and pulled in many directions by all who needed what he had to offer. He knew exhaustion. He knew hunger and thirst.  The miracle of the manger... the reality of it... takes my breath away. 

Jesus would grow and he would fulfill the promise. He would be be the Lamb of God. But, first he would be "God with Us"...  our Immanuel. 

Today...I am grateful for many names and one Savior.