A New Name

 Jan 1. Holy Name of Jesus Numbers 6:22-27  2nd Sunday After Christmas

Galatians 4:4-7

or Philippians 2:5-11/ Philippian 2: 9-13

Luke 2:15-21

Psalm 8

Names are important, and titles as well. They have meaning and significance. Luke records that the child born to Mary would be called, “Jesus” which means literally savior (1:31). Of course during Advent and Christmas Eve we heard the reading from Isaiah 7 . “ the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Vs 14 ---literally “ God with us.” Today we read from Luke 2 paying special attention to vs. 21, “ on the 8th day , when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.” Genesis 17 says this was an obligation of covenantal that is believing families, “ every male among you shall be circumcised.” 17:10

We remember from last week’s meditation that Jesus was born in a manger for there was no room in the house /inn. His mother put swaddling clothes around him and she did this herself which shows her poverty. Today we have another example of the humanity of Jesus for he underwent the traditions and customs of the law for us. Galatians 4 says it clearly ,” God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law….” T hat is for you and I….

You and I as believers have God with us, Immanuel, Jesus , Savior and in this new relationship that we are in with God the letter to the Galatians says we have been adopted as sons and daughters and are called by a new name, i.e. no longer slaves/servants but we are sons and “ God has made you also an heir.” I think adoption is a wonderful thing for someone who has no family. I cannot say how this must feel because I did not experience it . To go into such a new family that is safe and hopeful must change a person’s outlook completely.

In this new year we are celebrating new beginnings . Today is such a day. Spiritually we are now a part of the family of God . Numbers 6 talks about this as well . It is known as the Aaronic blessing that was given by the priests. Three times the LORD puts his blessing on His people . “ The LORD bless you and keep you, the LORD makes his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Listen to what he says in vs. 27 ,” So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” God puts his name on us and we are kept whole and safe.

Many people search for acceptance in life and often it is lacking due to a lack of blessing in the family. It is said that a woman’s achievements are directly related to the father’s acceptance of the daughter , ( The Blessing by Smalley), and being called a dummy and being told you are not going to amount to much can have a detrimental effect in the life of a child. God has no such qualms about His children. He gives them a new name , “ I will also write on him my new name.” Revelation 3:12 Psalm 40 talks about how God sets His child upon a rock, “ and has put a new song in my mouth..” 40:3

In 1937 , the Lutheran pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in his Discipleship / Cost of Discipleship that “ to be in Christ means to be in the church-community….whoever seeks to become a new human being means to come into the church…whoever seeks to become a new human being individually cannot succeed.” He knew what he was talking about. Bonhoeffer formed the confessing church outside of the Church of Germany which was ruled by Bishops who swear allegiance to the state, i.e. Hitler. This was a church of suffering which was what Christ’s body does on earth. Philippians 2:5-11, the alternate Epistle reading tells us we should “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” “He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death…”

Happy new year. We have in Christ a new name , a new relationship and a new home in Christ’s body, the church. What are we here for? We are here to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever, obeying His commandments which are not burdensome to show His light in this dark age of unbelief. So we join the church of all ages in saying “Holy, Holy , Holy or sanctus” because, “ in the Mystery of the Word made flesh, thou hast caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of thy glory in the face of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” Proper preface, BCP, 1928.

“ Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth, good will toward men.”

“ Grant us Almighty God the true circumcision of the Spirit; that our hearts, and all our members, being mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts we may in all things obey thy blessed will.” Amen.