A New Year Blessing

"She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." - Matthew 1:21

As we look forward to the New Year, we are filled with hope for new beginnings. But such hope is often dashed by our own human failings. Is there a new beginning that is sure and full of guaranteed blessing? Our passage for today is more than a Christmas message, it gives us all that we need, for hopeful days in the coming year.

We have Jesus who is "he" ... “for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

We have Jesus who will "save" ... "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”  (Hebrews 7:25)

We have Jesus, as "his people" ... “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession...” ( 1 Peter 2:9)

We have Jesus, who has forgiven our "sins" ... “To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” – Acts 10:43

With such a Savior, we can face the year in the Name of Jesus, saved to uttermost, chosen to be a very special people of God and wholly forgiven.