"And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb."

Luke 2:21

Joseph obeyed God. The angel had instructed him to give the child the name Jesus because Yahweh would save His people from their sins. Eight days after his birth, Joseph did as He was told. He trusted God’s Word and believed God’s promise that this child, Jesus, would be his Savior.

As we begin this new year, we begin 2025 in the name of the Lord. We do not know what this year will bring, but like Joseph, we know that God is faithful to all His promises. And the name Jesus reminds us of just the kind of Lord He truly is…One who saves. We begin this year just as we closed the previous one, trusting in God’s promises and in His name.

No matter what things we will face in the coming year, we know that we can call upon the name of the Lord and He will hear us and grant us the deliverance that could only come from the Savior of the world. May the name of Jesus be ever present as you call to Him in every need and praise Him for every good gift. May God bless you throughout this year in and through Jesus!

Prayer – Eternal God, we commit to Your mercy and forgiveness the year now ending, and commend to Your blessing and love for the times yet to come. In the new year, abide among us with Your Holy Spirit that we may always trust in the saving name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Fraternally in Christ,

President Lee Hagan