From Apostolic times, the name of Jesus was both the source and cause of great devotion. The emblem associated with the name of Jesus appears above. The Catholic Encyclopedia article, Holy Name, gives a brief but packed history. There you will learn -- if the Sisters or priests did not teach you -- that centuries ago Jesus was written as IHESUS and shortened as IHS. St. Bernard of Siena labored to spread an awareness of and devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. Also the name of Jesus was added to the original Hail Mary prayer to intensify the awareness of this sacred name. Almost at the turn of the 16th century (1597) Pope Sixtus V did all he could possibly do to encourage the pious invocation, "Praised be Jesus Christ." The scripture readings for today's liturgy, Readings , however, do not address the feast. The First Letter of St. John continues the Christmas season theme. In particular the offered verses speak of the impact of God's love poured upon us with the gift of the Incarnation. John wants his readers to realize that being made by God, we are children of God not children of this world. John continues his "teaching" that it is sinfulness that will prevent us from seeing or knowning Jesus who was given to us to take away our sins.
