The name Jesus means "God saves." By His very nature, Jesus is a Savior (Ti 1:4). He has come to seek and save us, the lost (Lk 19:10). "There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name in the whole world given to men by which we are to be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Jesus is "Emmanuel, a name which means 'God is with us' " (Mt 1:23). He became flesh and lived among us (Jn 1:14). He is with us "always, until the end of" time (Mt 28:20).
Jesus is "King" and "Ruler" (1 Tm 6:15). "The Lord God will give Him the throne of David His father. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever and His reign will be without end" (Lk 1:32-33).
Jesus is the name above all names, and at His name every knee must bow and every tongue proclaim that Jesus is Lord (Phil 2:9-11). The name Jesus is powerful. His name spoken and written is so powerful that the world and the devil suppress it, and try to substitute other names, like Santa, Frosty, and Rudolph.
How often have you heard the name of Jesus spoken in the last week? How often have you spoken His name? The retailers and TV networks won't speak the name of Jesus. Nonetheless, Christmas is His birthday, and we are His heralds. If we don't shout out the name of Jesus, will the bricks in the mall have to praise Jesus for us? (see Lk 19:40)
| PRAYER: | Jesus, immerse me in You. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus... |
| PROMISE: | "He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a reward from God his Savior." –Ps 24:5 |
| PRAISE: | "O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at Your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead Your captive people into freedom." |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College