2006 New Year's Day sermon

New Year's Day CLAIM THE NAME! 1/1/06

We gather in the name of Jesus. We desire to “worthily magnify his holy name.” We confess our sins, asking of God that we might “walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.” We teach children to “Make a name for yourself!” My father told his 3 sons: “Don't forget your last name!” In the petition of the Lord’s Prayer "give us this day, our daily bread", Martin Luther taught that “daily bread” includes “a good name." People acknowledge, “I'm not very good with names!” and Jesus promises "Whatever you ask for in my name shall be given unto you." If I’m restricted from praying “in Jesus’ name,” I opt not to pray at all! May 2006 be the year that we, as a congregation and as individuals, Claim the Name of Jesus in all that we do!

The angels had come to the shepherds and had, now, "gone into heaven." (Lk. 2:15) The shepherds had run---for Luke records "they went as fast as they could and they found Mary and Joseph---and the baby lying in the manger"(Lk. 2:16). Upon seeing the Christ-child, the shepherds share with Mary and Joseph what the angels had told them "about this child." I don't claim to know who all was at the manger at that moment, but did you ever notice that Luke records "… all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds said to them"? (Lk. 2:18) Mary's reaction, though, was not one of wonder, but of “ponder,” as Scripture tenderly records: "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Lk. 1:19). The shepherds depart, "glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen"(Lk. 1:20) and return to their same familiar fields and flocks…but they would never be the same. The, after all of this, after the customary 8-days, Mary and Joseph take their firstborn son to be circumcised and declare his name, Jesus.

Expectant parents often admit that choosing the name for their soon-to-be-born child is one of the most difficult tasks of the 9-month pregnancy. If our child is a boy, what shall we name him? What if our child is a girl? Do we carry on some family name, or venture out on a name of our own choosing? Will we hurt someone's feelings if we don't use their name? Will we hurt our child's feelings if we do?! What names sound good together? What’s not too difficult to pronounce or spell? Who does a name remind you of...some boy you couldn’t stand back in grade school...some girl you dated in college...some television personality? What is the origin of the name and what does the name mean? Naming is no easy assignment!

Mary and Joseph had a decided “edge”. When the angel Gabriel first visited Mary, sent by God to a virgin girl in "in a town in Galilee called Nazareth" (1:26), what we call the Annunciation, Gabriel knows her name. Reading Luke 1:30: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Gabriel,then, visits Joseph, Matthew 1:20, and knows his name, saying: “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife." Gabriel also indicates the name they are to give the child. To Joseph, Gabriel says, "She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins" (1:21). To Mary, Gabriel says, "And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus" (Lk. 1:31). Most couples don’t receive this level of divine direction when it comes to naming their children. I know Jill and I didn't!

In the Hebrew tradition, names tended to denote identity. Simon was given the new name "Petra" or "Peter," meaning "the rock." Abram received the new name of "Abraham," meaning "father of many nations." Abraham and Sarah, 100 and 90 years old, respectively, conceive a child. They considered this laughable, well-aware of their advanced age. God directs them to call the boy "Isaac," which means "he laughs." "Jesus," a Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, a common name among Jews in the first century, means "Yahweh saves" or "Yahweh is salvation." Jesus' name was an affirmation of faith, a declaration of confidence in Israel's God.

So, this long-awaited child, born in Bethlehem, of Mary and Joseph, in a borrowed barn---one day to be buried in a borrowed tomb---is given a name. This is a miraculous child! Miraculous in how he was conceived, how he lived, how he was raised from death, how he descended to hell, how he ascended to the Father, how he will come again to judge the living and the dead, and how he will take us to be with him to a place He is, even this morning, preparing for our arrival. We know the angel choirs sing about him...that the stars make note of him...that shepherds and strangers from afar come to worship him. But, now, he has/we have His name...Jesus!

As we enter this new year...as God begins to unfurl the scroll of these coming days, weeks, and months...as God brings to us countless opportunities to know and see and share and serve Him...the fact remains there is power in this name...his God-given, angel announced, and earthly pronounced name! And you and I, calling ourselves Christians after the name of Christ, have been marked with his name and graced with his blessing. We are the bearers of his name. Let us claim the name! AMEN.

FOR THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Let us pray:

God of New Years, new hopes and new promises, lead us into the future with faith and a sense of purpose. We have not been all we are supposed to be, but this morning we gather where we are supposed to be. We strive not for success, but toward and for faithfulness to You and to our purpose in living. May our lives be committed and deliberate. Out of the wreckage of too many failures, too many hurts, too much hesitation, too little courage, and too few victories, restore our confidence and faith in the power of your name. This praying Pastor is far from perfect. This body of Christ---Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Springfield, Ohio, is not perfect. But, this first day of this New Year, we gather to claim, and we depart to proclaim, your name. May the wisdom of the old, which comes from long, alert experience, be shared and heard as we live out these days ahead. May the opportunity of the new, which comes with limitless potential, produce new insights and expressions of your glorious name through our daily lives. There is so much, yet to be done, and, by God, we intend to do it! In Jesus' name, we all say:

AMEN.