Isaiah
9:6a
Isn't
it amazing how we can hear a name...it could be the name of someone
we knew in high school, at a former place of employment, a historical
person from our own generation, a relative we haven't seen in
years...and the moment we hear a particular name, there is an instant
thought about that person that crosses our mind. We might not even
have a name attached to someone. It could be someone we really
didn't know but had some experience with.
When
I was four years old, my mother and grandmother wanted to go to the
Wisconsin Dells. Of course my baby sister and I went along. During
that trip my grandmother and I were both bitten by a dog. When we
got home, the doctor said that both of us would have to have
injections for about ten days in a row. A friend of my mother's was
a nurse and probably a very nice lady. Back then I knew her first
name but not now. The nurse agreed to come by our house on her way
to work to give me my shot. After a couple of days, I caught on to
the program. As clever as they tried to be with the nurse's
approach, I knew what was happening cause I wasn't just another
pretty face. This friend of my Mother's told her something my Mother
just did not believe. The nurse told her, “No matter how long
Glendarae lives, when she thinks of me or hears my name, she will
hate my guts.” I must tell you that in the here and now, I don't
hate the woman but I don't like her. When my mother and I talked
about this shortly before she died, she felt my attitude wasn't what
Jesus would approve of. Jokingly I told my mother that when Jesus
was four years old, he didn't have some woman sneak up on him and
stick a needle in his backside. Sorry for that, but that's what I
said.
Names
have great meaning. They are so important that almost the minute a
baby is born, the hospital office wants to know the baby's name,
friends and relatives ask the baby's name just about from the time a
couple announces they are expecting. It is something that a little
human being will bear for life and will appear on a grave marker at
the time of death. When different folks who know or have known us,
hear our name, there will be something about us whether positive or
negative that registers with them. The only person I can think of
whose name(s) should always ring a positive note with us is any
name(s) we know Jesus by. His name should cause us to always think
positively.
I
have been in the habit the last several years of purchasing Christmas
cards I give out that stress the names of Jesus. This year I found a
beautiful card. The front is lime green, the printed names in
various sizes and styles are printed in red, white or gold. The
names printed on this card are: “I AM, Bread of Life, Anointed
One, Jesus, Alpha and Omega, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor,
Saviour, and Everlasting Light.” I have one of these cards on the
table by my comfy chair. Jesus is every one of those things in my
life but, He is so much more. So I have been looking up other names
for Him that are found in Scripture, names that I can look at,
remember and perhaps hide more Scripture in my heart, that helps me
concentrate on Jesus more.
Let
me list a few more names for our blessed Jesus with a Scripture that
can be looked up:
The
way, the truth,and the life: John 14:6
Bread
of Life: John 6:35
Alpha
and Omega: Rev. 1:8
True
Vine: John 15:1
Son
of God: Heb.4:14
Hope
of Glory: Col. 1:27
Good
Shepherd: John 10: 11,14
I
am reminded of the following song:
“Jesus,
Jesus, Jesus
There's
just something about that name.
Master,
Savior, Jesus
Like
the fragrance, after the rain.
Jesus,
Jesus, Jesus
Let
all heaven and earth proclaim
Kings
and kingdoms will all pass away
but
there's something about that name.”
Thank
You Father for the magnificent gift of Your Son. What a privilege it
is celebrating His birth and His name. May there remain in me the
joy of Christmas everyday. I want to celebrate You, Jesus and all
You have done for me. I love you. Amen
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