WHEN choosing a name for a new baby, many people consider the meaning of names. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, it is worth remembering that He had a number of names, all of which had a special meaning. 600 years before His birth, the prophet Isaiah wrote, “He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,” (Isaiah 9: 6) — names which clearly pointed to His Deity. When the angel told Mary she would bear a son, he said, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” (Luke 1: 32). And when God spoke to Joseph in a dream, to tell him to take Mary as his wife, in spite of the fact that he was not the father of her soon-to-be born child, He said, “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1: 21). “Jesus” means Saviour, and when the angel appeared to the Bethlehem shepherds, his good news “for all the people” was that a Saviour had been born.
  The Bible gives many other names to Jesus, but maybe one of the most significant was “Immanuel.” Matthew quoted this from Isaiah chapter 7, and explained that it means “God with us.” (Matthew 1: 23). This describes who Jesus is, and how amazing was His coming into the world. Most people believe in some kind of God, but so often He is a God who is “out there.” He may be smiling benignly upon us, and even listen to our prayers, but yet is far removed from us and our problems. Grasping the real meaning of Christmas shatters this false view of God, who didn’t stay “out there”, but took human flesh and became one of us. This is the incredible truth which lies behind our nativity scenes. Edward Cassall summed it up like this:-
          'Lo! Within a manger lies He who built the starry skies.'
Jesus wasn’t born just so that once a year we could party and over-indulge. He was born to prove that the God who created us loves us, and that even though we are all natural rebels against Him, He has made a way for us to return to Him.
  When we take down our decorations and pack away our nativity scenes, let’s remember that Jesus grew up, faced the same kind of temptations and trials we face, and ultimately died on the Cross so that we could be forgiven. For Him, the road of life led from Bethlehem to Calvary. But Jesus rose again to conquer death (which was the result of sin), so that all who put their faith in Him can live forever with him. In the words of Jester Hairston: “Man may live for evermore because of Christmas Day.” Jesus is “Immanuel: God with us.” If we receive Him, He will remain with us throughout the year 2012 and forever. Good news indeed — but we must believe it!
                                                               —Geoff Chapman

After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
(Acts 1: 3)