Welcome back to “Praying the Names of Jesus,” by Ann Spangler. This week’s name: Child.
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In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:1-12)
Prayer
Lord, you were cradled in human arms and laid in a manger. How can I begin to understand a gift so unexpected? That someone so great would allow himself to become so small? Help me to follow you, like a little child, laying aside my pretensions and admitting my need. Help me to love you, trust you, and lean on you today, and thank you for showing me the way into your kingdom.
Understanding the Name
Though the Israelites considered children a great blessing, they occupied the bottom rung of the social ladder. Entrusted with the solemn responsibility of teaching and disciplining them, parents were accorded nearly absolute authority over their children. To be a child was to be powerless, dependent, subservient. Yet even little children and young infants could receive wisdom from God and their lips could praise him. The prophet Isaiah spoke of a child, or yeled (YEL-ed), who would one day be born of a virgin and sit on David’s throne. Luke’s Gospel tells us that Mary, while she was yet betrothed, was expecting a child, or pais (PICE), and that she gave birth to him in Bethlehem.
Studying the Name

1. What images come to mind when you think of the child Jesus?
2. Why do you think Luke mentions that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and that he was Mary’s son?
3. Why do you think God allowed his Son to be born in such humble circumstances and to be placed in a manger?

Adapted from “Praying the Names of Jesus” by Ann Spangler, with permission of Zondervan. Did you miss any entries? Stay subscribed to this feed and you’ll receive the entries you missed once the feed restarts.