It is so good to see all of you here this evening, on this the most holy of all nights. And, so many of you are here as families, parents, grandparents and children. So, you all remember the moment when it was time to name your child. It was an exciting time, to be sure. We just had this in our family as one of my nephews and his wife were preparing to give birth. They kept the name secret; we didn’t learn his name until he was born. And, the name they had chosen was most unexpected: Cohen. No one in either our family or her family was named Cohen. But, we were all excited to learn his name and welcome him into our family. I was particularly delighted to learn the name because it means “priest.” You may know that the priests of ancient Israel were usually taken from the tribe of Levi. They were called Levites. You may not know, however, that priests were also taken from the descendants of Aaron; they were called cohens.
For some families, it’s easy to choose their children’s names as they name them after someone else in the family. Sometimes, it’s more difficult because they don’t want to do that for a variety of reasons. In today’s gospel, we hear the angel of the God make it very easy for Joseph and Mary to name their child. He instructs them to name him Jesus. And, as you surely know, Jesus is the Latin form for the Hebrew name Joshua and it means “God saves.” The son of Mary – also the Son of God – had come to save us from our sinful ways.
You will also notice that today’s Gospel passage ascribes another name to him: Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” In these two names, we learn that God came to be with us to save us from our sins. He came so that we could, once more, be able to be with our God in heaven.
In many families, children are given nicknames, names of endearment. My grandfather gave my mother the nickname “muisje” which is Dutch for “little mouse.” She was the youngest in the family and was always scampering around like a little mouse. In today’s first reading, we hear God give us, his beloved children, the nickname “My Delight” because delights in each of us. After all, he has made us for himself and is delighted that, through his Son, he is going to allow us to be with him forever.
As you celebrate Christmas with your families over these next few days, I invite you to rejoice because Jesus – God saves – has come as Emmanuel – God with us. Our salvation is now at hand and our God delights in us. Rejoice! Merry Christmas!