But after [Joseph] had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:20-21 CSB

Most couples struggle to decide on the best name for their children. My parents batted around several names before I was born. They arrived at the hospital to deliver me, certain I would be called Robin. When I left the hospital, my name was Terri.

Mary and Joseph bypassed the name game. The angel Gabriel told Mary, You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus (Luke 1:31 NIV). Joseph was visited by an angel who confirmed the name. You are to name him Jesus.

Jesus. Yeshua in Hebrew, Iesous in Greek, Jesus means “God saves” or “God is salvation.”

That would be wonderful news to the nation of Israel. They were looking for salvation. Salvation, that is, from the Roman government they were currently under.

The angel revealed to Joseph not only the name but also the reason for the name Jesus—because he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 2:21 CSB).

This precious little baby would one day give His life to save His people, not from the tyranny of Rome, but from their greater problem—their sins.

Sin keeps us in darkness, bondage, distant from our Creator. We cry out as Paul did, What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me (Romans 7:24 CSB)?

Jesus will! Jesus, whose name rings out through all generations, “God saves!”  In fact, salvation is found in no one else (Acts 4:12 NIV).

 This Christmas season, pause to worship Jesus.

Jesus, thank you for saving us from our sins. Because of you, we can breathe, live, dream. You turned our mourning to gladness.

 Terri