Martha Olawale

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

Why has the story of the baby born in a manger captivated humanity generation after generation? It’s not a typical heroic story saturated with valors and splendors but one simplified by love. Despite the never-ending efforts to squash its validity, the story keeps reaching hearts from one end of the earth to the other. Something about the Christmas story clarifies the confusion about our existence and the possibility of walking with God on this side of eternity.

The birth of Christ marks the beginning of a new era for humanity. It changes everything and beats the devil’s imagination to conquer sin, shame, and condemnation. In ignorance, he must have thought, “What can a little boy in a manger do to me, and how can He save humanity from their sins? He knew the King was here and tried to stop Him but lost at each turn, even when he thought otherwise.

The detail of Christ’s birth was written to honor the order of life, and God personified His earth’s visit through a simple story set in Bethlehem to rescue mankind. It turned the tides in favor of humanity and prepared our route back to our Heavenly Father. The beauty and enduring truth in God’s demonstration of love through Christ’s birth is not because of glamor or fame; it’s because it’s the story of love in a human child.

When the angel appeared to Joseph in Matthew 1:21 and told him to call the baby Jesus, Joseph honored God and married his betrothed. He loved her and protected his unborn child, not knowing he was part of the story that would grow to be the deepest-rooted tree of love for humanity. He could not have imagined what the name Jesus would mean to a world he could not fathom beyond where a chariot could reach.

The name of Jesus, spoken in any language, delivers the same power God accorded it thousands of years ago. Its potency to save, forgive, heal, soothe, comfort, and uplift remains the same today, just as it was yesterday and forever would be. The mere mention of Jesus sends a million redeemed souls shouting in joy. Jesus won in birth, death, and resurrection, and He continues to win in all conversations, and the lives of all who call Him, Lord.