the names of Jesus this Christmas

At this time of the year, the Christmas season, we often look at the names that Jesus was called.  Think about the names that we call people.  We have nicknames for the people we care deeply about and for some we don’t.  Fact is, we as humans often put our judgment or thought of how we think of people or feel about them in what we call them.

Think about those names for a minute.  We might call our spouse or significant other sweet heart or darling or babe or a number of other names.  I giggle a bit when I hear some of the nicknames used on the ball field or in relationships, but they often describe, and describe pretty well, the people they are given to.

Why is it that the Bible gives many names to our God and His son?  I love the fact that many of these names describe the character of our God.  I pray that I will be known for and my family will be known for being honest and to have high standards.  I long for our church to be known as a family that prays often, meets needs and extends tons of grace and be known for those things.  Jesus is known my many different names.

Before Jesus was born there were many things or characteristics given for names of Jesus.  As you walk through the conclusion of today's devotion here are some verses that point us to think about the reason for the Christmas season.  Read through the following verses that share the names of Jesus, thank God for His gift of Jesus and then let Jesus fill you this Christmas season because of who He is ....

Isaiah 9:6 NLT

"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  And the government will rest on his shoulders.  These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Some of the best known names of our Savior are right there, and those are the ones that describe His character and the things He does for us.  Jesus is our counselor.  Jesus is God.  He is our peace and so much more.

Revelation 22:13 NLT

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

Scripture provides evidence that Jesus was there in the beginning and will be there when all the world is gone.  He not only created all things, but our Jesus holds it all together at the start and finish of it all.

Matthew 1:21 NLT

"And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

Savior is a big deal.  That is a name that many need to call on.  A Savior deals with shortcomings, fills the gaps and gives innocence.  That is why Jesus is our Savior who deals well with our sin!

Matthew 1:23 NLT

"Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us)."

With us is an incredible deals.  Jesus is always with us.  He was with the father and was sent to earth.  Jesus is the reason for the season as well as our reason to hold on to our faith and walk by it.

John 3:16-17 NLT

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it."

Jesus is the hinge of salvation.  When a person cannot understand or accept this Jesus, then the future is completely empty, but embracing Jesus leaves any person changes and full of promise.

That ought to, the names of Jesus ought to, change our Christmas celebrations!

NOTE: much of this post was shared in December 2006 and remains true today.