Christmas Characters:

 

Christmas Characters: Jesus 

Matthew 1:21-25

The characters of Christmas are very interesting to study as each one of them turns our focus toward the main meaning of Christmas. When the Lord Jesus was born, Mary His mother, is very important in the overall story. Then, there is Joseph, the strong, silent carpenter, who faithfully became her husband and the legal father of the Lord Jesus. When Jesus was born the wise men came from the east to worship Him. They have a part to play and they have a part in the meaning of the message of Christmas. Also, the shepherds came and they reminded us of many of the beautiful messages and meanings of Christmas. When Jesus was born the angels from heaven made a journey to this earth and made announcements relative to the purpose and meaning of Christmas.

But all of the characters of Christmas now point our focus to the little baby in that manger. That little baby, the Bible says, was named Jesus. The naming of a child is always an important occasion. When you named the children you have it was very important and very meaningful to you. Sometimes babies are named because they express the aspiration and the desires of the parents. Sometimes the names are given in honor and memory of certain family members or famous personalities.

In the Bible, especially, the giving of names was an important matter. Many times the naming of a child in the Bible had significance not only historically, but also spiritually. It was certainly true in the naming of this babe in the manger when the name was given Jesus. Actually, the name did not come from Mary. The name did not come from Joseph. The name was given by an angel, for the name had been brought to earth from heaven where God Himself gave the name to this baby.

There are many titles and names given to the Son of God in the Bible. Someone has estimated over 700 titles and names for Jesus can be found in the pages of the Bible. Of all of the names used for our Lord in the Bible, the one most often used is the name Jesus. Almost a thousand times is this name of the Son of God given. He shall be called Jesus.

Jesus is the name around which the whole Bible revolves. In one sense of the word you could say that the Bible is indeed a Jesus book. In the Old Testament Jesus is predicted. In the Gospels Jesus is presented. In the letters the Lord Jesus Christ is proclaimed and in the last book of the Bible, the book of The Revelation, the name of Jesus is praised.

So, we look at the central figure of the Christmas story in this message of Christmas. The One who gives the meaning to the message. The One who is central to the scene. The One indeed who is the reason for the season--Jesus.

I want to make some very down-to-earth and I hope very understandable statements about this name Jesus, as we approach the celebration of His birth on Christmas.

This name of Jesus is- I. A SIMPLE Name. It was a commonly used name in...

by Joseph Hanse