The naming of a child was as important in the First Century as it is today. In fact, there were two names given to the baby of Bethlehem, and each one helps us know more about him.
“He shall be called Jesus.” The Bible tells us that before Jesus was born, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, informing him that the child Mary was carrying was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and that he should not fear to take Mary as his wife. Further, the angel even told Joseph was to name the child — Jesus.
Jesus was a common name; it was the “Bob” of the First Century. Thus, the child whom God sent to be the Savior of the world was given a name common to the time and place, one that by itself did not set him apart from the rest of the human race. “Jesus” was the name that would have been entered into whatever official birth records were kept in those days.
But while it was a common name, it was not a meaningless one. Jesus means “God is salvation.” The angel who appeared to Joseph alludes to that when he 
says, “You are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” This child was given a name that would be a constant reminder of the saving grace of God.
“They shall call him Emmanuel.” This is the other name given to Jesus as mentioned in the Bible and, as Matthew hastens to tell us, it means “God is with us.” Thus, between his given name, Jesus, and his symbolic name, Emmanuel, the child to be born to Mary gives us two important affirmations about God — that God saves us, and that God is with us.
You see, even in the naming of Jesus, there were two powerful testimonies to remind us of how God comes to us, if we will allow him to. No matter what we go through, he is present with us where we are, and he comes bringing salvation. That’s plenty of reason to celebrate the birth of the boy named Jesus!
