Call His Name Jesus
by Margaret Silvester
Recently I went to a morning and an evening carol service. Each service told the Christmas story differently. In the morning puppets told and acted out the story. Funny and witty but full of truth. The evening was a “Contemporary Carol Service” with amazing worship and pointing clearly to the reason why Jesus came.
A short video showed the arrival of Mary and Joseph at Bethlehem. Mary was in labour and Joseph was frantically looking for somewhere to take her. The night was cold and windy; they were desperate. Their journey to Bethlehem had been hard and hazardous. They arrived in fear and desperation as the Son of God was about to be born. On the rough floor of a stable the process of childbirth was completed and Mary held the crying baby in her arms and comforted Him. The shepherds arrived and asked Mary, “What is His name?” Her simple reply was, “Jesus,” the name given by the angel because it means, Saviour, and He came to seek and to save the lost.
The scene was extremely moving because it showed reality without sentimentality. It showed the One we have come to love and worship in true humanity with the expression of human emotions. It brought home the striking truth of what it meant for God’s Son to identify with us, to share our humanity in every way and for our sake becoming poor so that we can share for all eternity the riches of heaven.
Whatever our circumstances this Christmas time we all have something wonderful to celebrate. As once again we recall the birth of our Saviour, let us remember the real reason He came. He came to die! The baby in the manger was God’s indescribable gift; His gift beyond words - gift to be received in gratitude and response. As the queen quoted in her last Christmas Day broadcast –
if I were a wise man, I would do my part.
Yet what I can I give him--give my heart.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for showing Your love in giving Your dearly loved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to be the Saviour of the world. Thank You for His humble birth, and for His humility in becoming obedient to death on a cross. Your love is amazing. I ask the Holy Spirit to put Your love in my heart so that I will love You as You deserve to be loved and love others with Your love. Amen.
Margaret Silvester had a career as a teacher prior to being called into full time Christian Ministry with her husband, David, in 1986. They were involved in establishing a Healing Ministry in the local church and Margaret has a passion to see lost and wounded people found and restored. She and her husband joined the Ellel Ministries teaching and ministry team in 2000 after a clear call from God. Margaret`s book "Stepping Stones to the Father Heart of God" has recently been published.
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