According to the ancient mind, a person's name was the expression of his nature, work, or mission. The month of January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. Phil 2:10 says: "In the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth and under the earth". Christ's name was chosen in heaven, and the Angel Gabriel announced it when he informed the Blessed Virgin of the incarnation: "Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus". It is a name that means "savior" because He will offer Himself up for us.
The feast of the Holy Name of Jesus has been celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church, since the end of the fifteenth century. The celebration has been held usually in January, because 1 January, eight days after Christmas, commemorates the naming of the child Jesus; as recounted in the Gospel, "at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb."
In today’s Catholic Church, the feast is celebrated under the title of the Most Holy Name of Jesus as an optional memorial on 3 January. Among Catholics the month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus.
Jesus is our all. In His name we may pray to the Father with assurance of being heard. In His name the Church administers all her sacraments. In His name she offers all her prayers and blesses homes, the fields, and the sick. In the name of Jesus she casts out evil spirits, and at the hour of our death bids us, "Go forth, Christian soul." She assures us that whoever shall call upon this name will be saved. When our soul has departed this life to seek its eternal home, the Church asks in the name of Jesus, "Eternal rest give unto him, O Lord."
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