Christmas Every Week: Name This Child
Arthur Kellett points out that Jesus Christ is the Greek form of the Hebrew "Joshua, Messiah''.
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Warm upon a maiden's breast
A Jewish baby had been fed;
Reverently they gathered round:
'What's his name?' the shepherds said.
Joseph placed his rough-hewn hand
Upon the smooth and tender head;
'After Joshua we shall call him',
'A grand old name!' the shepherds said.
'Names,' said Joseph, 'must have meaning:
Bethlehem means The House of Bread;
Joshua means The Lord shall save us.'
'Glory to God!' the shepherds said.
Mary lifted gentle Joshua,
Laid him in his manger-bed:
'Here lies peace for all the earth.'
'The very words!' the shepherds said.
'Sleep, my Joshua, Hebrew baby;
From Bethlehem shall the world be fed;
But what strange name will Gentiles call him?'
'Jesus Christ,' the Wise Men said.
