Why the 25th December? Our Western calendar is set by the birth of Jesus Christ. The Gospels don’t tell us the precise date for his birth, so when the early Christians wanted to celebrate Jesus’ birth, they picked 25th December. Historians think that Jesus was most likely born some time during 4BC.
Why the name Jesus? The name Jesus means ‘God Saves’, or ’God to the Rescue’ in Aramaic - the language Mary most likely spoke. It is the same as the name ‘Joshua’ in Hebrew. The angel who announced to Mary that she would miraculously become pregnant with God’s Son, told her to give him this name, which describes what he came to do. Jesus’ life work was to rescue people, bringing forgiveness through His death on the cross. As the early disciples said: ‘Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved‘ (Acts 4 v 12).
The angel said: “Mary … is going to have a son. You must give him the name Jesus. That is because he will save his people from their sins.” MATTHEW 1 V 21