FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH
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December 20, 2018
“You have a name!”
 The story of God’s intervention in history continues.  Elizabeth, in her old age, gave birth to a healthy son.  On the eighth day they had him circumcised, according to the law.  Then “they” were going to give him his name.  Who is the “they” here?  Certainly it’s not Elizabeth or Zechariah.  The “they” here is identified as the neighbors and relatives who want to name him after his father.  But mom steps up and says “No! He is to be called John!”
 The relatives were dumbfounded…”There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”  So they ask the father and he confirms the mother’s choice.  Then suddenly the father is able to speak (remember he was made mute by the angel earlier in the chapter).  And all the people wondered…”What then is this child going to be?”  The people could see that God’s hand was involved in this decision.
 And what does the name John mean?  Earlier in the story we read our Biblical footnote and find that “John” means “The Lord is gracious.”
 The Biblical story is filled with characters that have names and those names mean something.  “Jesus” for example is a form of the Old Testament name “Joshua”, which means ‘the Lord saves’. 
 So what does your name mean?  According to an internet site, some of our staff names mean:
 Pam: All Honey
Cheryl: Beloved
Todd: Fox
Jennifer: White Wave
Missy: Bee
Linda: Pretty One
Michael: Who is like God? (Yes, the question mark belongs there). 
 Bottom line…At baptism, God called you by name and re-labeled you...you were a child of the flesh and then you became a ‘child of God’.  You belong to God, are a member of his family, and share in all the benefits of the most gracious parent in the universe.  Now, you have a name!
 Blessings,
Pastor Mike

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