Dec. 31, 2014

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross.  Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name . . . – Philippians 2:5-9

Tomorrow is January 1, New Years' Day.  This is generally the day when people begin working on their resolutions for the new year.  Well, actually, this is probably the day before people begin working on their resolutions for the new year, since a fair number of people are recovering in one way or another from the previous night's celebration and/or spending the day watching the big Bowl Games and eating too much chips and dip.

For us in the church, however, the New Year came on November 30 with the First Sunday of Advent.  I don't know if any of you made New Years' resolutions, be we heard once more the stories of the end of days, the return of Christ, judgment and we prepared for his coming to us as a baby lying in a manger.  The New Year is upon us and we once again enter that great cycle of the church year that moves us from birth to Passion to Resurrection to discipleship.

Tomorrow is January 1, New Years' Day.  But on the church calendar, tomorrow is celebrated as the Feast of the Holy Name – eight days from birth to the traditional day of circumcision and naming.  This is the day we celebrate that event and honor the name of Jesus, the name given by the angel Gabriel before he was conceived.

Names are important things.  In some ancient civilizations, names were thought to hold power; which is why you never told a stranger your real name.  Native Americans gave names appropriate to a persons calling or character – think of John Dunbar being named Dances with Wolves.  We still give thought to the naming of our children or businesses, hoping that name will be successful.  And I've preached on how the name of a church impacts how a particular ethos is developed.

Tomorrow is the Feast of the Holy Name.  Tomorrow the church celebrates the day when the infant born in a manger received the name that is above every name.

On this Feast of the Holy Name, if you haven't made a resolution for the New Year, may I suggest this:

In your hearts enthrone him; there let him subdue
all that is not holy, all that is not true;
crown him as your Captain in temptation's hour;
let his will enfold you in its light and power.
Hymn 435, v. 5