Dictionary meaning of Covenant: 1. A binding agreement made by two or more persons or parties; a compact; contract.

3. Theology. God”™s promises to man, as recorded in the Old and New Testaments.

God has made promises to you and to me”¦they are binding agreements and cannot be broken. We should never take God”™s covenants, His promises, lightly.

How often do we make a promise without any intention of keeping it? Some promises are not well thought out and only used for expediency in the moment. They should never be made in the first place.

When a promise is broken, integrity has been breached. A relationship is damaged and diminished.

If a promise cannot be kept due to circumstances then an explanation is needed, even to a child.

Joseph and Mary were faithful in keeping God”™s covenant of circumcision for the eight day old infant.

(NASB) Luke 2:21 “And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.”

Mary had been told by the angel Gabriel to name the baby she would give birth to”¦Jesus. This was told her before conception. (See Luke 1:26-31).

Joseph had been told by the same angel to name the baby that Mary would give birth to”¦Jesus. This was told to him after the conception. (See Matthew 1:18-21)

The name “Jesus” was very important”¦”for He will save His people from their sins.”

God had promised a Savior at the time sin was chosen by Adam and Eve. And this promise was fulfilled at the conception and birth, life and death, and finally the resurrection of Jesus, Messiah, the Christ.

To those who go to church regularly and hear the “good news of great joy”, this message can become routine. Consider asking God for a renewed joy and interest in Jesus”¦He is our Savior! He alone saves us from those sins that are against God and all sin is against God)”¦the subtle sins of selfishness plus all others.

How shall you now pray?