In Scripture, names aren’t just labels— they are declarations of identity, destiny, and divine calling. In several cases, God revealed His plans by changing someone’s name: Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, Jacob became Israel, and Simon became Peter. What we are called often reflects what we are becoming in God’s hands.

The angel that announced the birth of Christ declared, “…and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins”, denoting His mission on earth. Matthew’s account of the event begins and ends with the miraculous – the conception of the Virgin Mary, the angelic visitation, and the disposition of Joseph. All these point to the uniqueness and supremacy of Christ. It is this colossal event that explains Paul’s assertive thought in his epistle to the Colossians, “For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily”.

It should be noted here that even though we don’t have to pry into the mysteries of Christ’s incarnation, that event was a necessary condition for the redemption of humanity. Notice also that God chose to use a devout virgin who was espoused to Joseph, a religious, good man. It was therefore easy for God’s angel to convince them and extract compliance with the divine plan. The whole of these events accorded with prophecies given much earlier than the time. The birth of Jesus is the vehicle of joy into troubled, sin-sick and suffering hearts. His Name portends His mission, ministry and mandate. He is Emmanuel (God with us), and Jesus (Saviour). A few decades later, Peter would affirmatively declare before the Sanhedrin that “…There is none other Name under heaven given amongst men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The Jewish world had long awaited the Messiah with bated breath but, and sadly so, the greater part of the population could not come to terms with the God-incarnate Saviour cradled in the manger surrounded with bleating sheep. That could not stop God’s redemptive plan.

Whatever you make of this narrative, it must not be lost on you that Jesus came to save humankind from the grip of sin and its consequences. This also goes with freedom from demonic manipulations and satanic oppression, sickness and destiny-destruction. The question is, has the purpose of Christ’s incarnation been fulfilled in your life? If not, why not?