What’s in a name?

A child is born to us!
A son is given to us!
And he will be our ruler.
He will be called ‘Wonderful Counsellor’,
‘Mighty God’, ‘Eternal Father’,
‘Prince of Peace’.
His royal power will continue to grow;
his kingdom will always be at peace.   (verses 6,7a)

Read Isaiah 9:2-7

Choosing a name for an unborn child is an awesome experience, for one’s name becomes one’s identity. No matter what name is chosen and how unusual it may seem at the start of a child’s life, it is not long before the name comes to fit the child. Even the strangest of nicknames come to fit the person.

Mary and Joseph were given no choice in the name of their first child, for the angel commanded, ‘You are to give him the name Jesus’ (Matthew 1:21). Jesus’ name too fits him perfectly, for its meaning, ‘the Lord saves’, rightly describes Jesus’ life’s work. And listen how the other names in this passage (written hundreds of years before his birth) also describe him perfectly: ‘Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’.

To these we could add the names that Jesus used to describe himself, for example ‘The Way’, ‘The Vine’, ‘The Good Shepherd’.

What name of Jesus is most meaningful to you?

Jesus, help me to come to know you better through the names given to you. Amen.

by Anne Maczkowiack in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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