I received an usual Christmas present today – a card with the explanation of the meaning of the name “Scott”. Not surprisingly, it implies that someone is from Scotland and comes from the Old English word “scottas”. Throughout time, names were combined with surnames to better distinguish one person from another, when they had the same given name. And as you have probably heard in the past, surnames were used to sometimes differentiate occupations as much as they were to name people. Names such as Baker, Carpenter, Plumber, Tailor and many others were originally used to describe the line of work of individuals and names such as Johnson were used to indicate that someone was the “son of John”, etc.
Jesus had a number of names as well. Throughout the Scripture, he is known by names such as the “True Vine”, “Bread of Life, “Son of Man”, “I Am” and many others, including “Savior” and “Immanuel” – God with us.
Just like our English names, the names of Jesus identify different traits or attributes that He possesses. He has also been called “Creator”, the “Alpha and Omega”, the “Amen” and almost countless other names that each portray unique characteristics of Jesus, the Christ. This Christmas season, I hope that you will remember some of the different attributes of our Lord and Savior.
The verse for this evening is from the Old Testament book of Isaiah. The prophet gave us one of the most important passages about the coming of Jesus hundreds of years before Jesus was even born. We are told, in Is. 9:6, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” As you can see, there are even more names for the Savior of the world. My encouragement this evening is that no matter what name you use this Christmas to describe Jesus, He wants you to know Him personally. My prayer is that you will be touched by the Holy Spirit in some miraculous way these next several days and that you will rejoice in the knowledge that Jesus is alive and with us every step of the way, even from His birth in a manger in Bethlehem. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…