(December 14, 2008)

Many want to remember Jesus during Christmas as that child born in a manger. They want to celebrate the birth of the Son of God. While a majority of people celebrate Christmas, Christians and non-Christians alike, less people want to take time out to remember how the Son of God lived His life and how He taught us how to live. Many don't want to remember that Jesus.

Jesus is a Jesus of grace, mercy and love. But, there are a lot of "knock offs" out there. Many want to put Jesus in a box, molding and shaping Him into the Jesus that they want Him to be. Therefore, many have a corrupted belief as to who Jesus really was, hence a "knock off". In order to really know which Jesus is the true form, one needs to know how the true Jesus is described:

"Favored One": Mary was the "favored one" by God. How amazing it must have been to be favored by our Lord! Being favored means being completely and totally accepted by God. Understand that when we accept Jesus Christ, we also become a "favored one". We should expect to be treated differently when we are favored by the Son of God.

"Emmanuel": God is with us every time in every situation. God grieves with us, He laughs with us and He experiences joy with us. Praying for "Emmanuel" will help us know that He's there when we need Him. Know that He's there even when we don't!

"Jesus": His name literally translates into God Saves. Hallelujah! There is nothing subtle about that Name. There is power in simply saying Jesus. God's greatest Gift to us proves that we are more blessed to give than to receive. When we're saved, we are joint heirs with Him and He has become our Older Brother.

"Son of the Most High": This is the mature Jesus that is all-powerful, deriving His power directly from God.