A child is born.
A son given.
His name shall be called.
Wonderful Counselor.
Mighty God.
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace.
When I call out for my eldest daughter, I may say, “Come here, Sweetie.” Or I may call her by her full name to get her full attention. She is called by many names: Sweetie, Sissy, Missy-Moo, Evi-girl, Virginia Eve, Evi Cope, Darling, Precious, Beautiful. But if she were asked, she would simply say her name is Evi.
Jesus. The son of God was given a name but he is called by many. His name, when called upon, envelopes every unmet need and deepest desire of our soul. One that meets us right where we are, but not so that we might remain there. So we’ll be met and drawn out. Rescued. For all of eternity and freed for this present life.
What name of Jesus do you need to call on this Christmas? What name do you need to unwrap?
Wonderful Counselor:: Do you desire to be known deeply and be understood? Are your struggles personal, internal and shadowed by the past? Jesus, came for You, Wonderful Counselor.
Mighty God:: Are you facing a challenge that is beyond your control? Are you grasping to make sense of the circumstances you find yourself in? You want to trust but you’re struggling to fully surrender. Jesus, came for You, Mighty God.
Everlasting Father:: Has someone you loved abandoned you? Have you lost someone you love? Do you feel forgotten? Invisible and alone, even if it feels unwarranted. Jesus, came for You, Everlasting Father.
Prince of Peace:: Is anxiety stealing your joy? Is worry of the unknown consuming your thought life? We believe the lie if we can figure it out with worry then we’ll somehow find resolve in predicting the outcome. Our peace can only be found in a person. Jesus, came for You, Prince of Peace.
Each year my struggles and joys look different. They’ve ranged from health struggles with my son’s epilepsy, my husband’s unknown ailment and my own battle with postpartum, to joys of a precious newborn baby, a new house and healing.
The names of Jesus I’ve called on have been significant to each year, each season. Christmas is always a celebration but more often than not it comes in the midst of tears. Don’t you think Jesus knew that it would? Isn’t that why He came?
Because our world isn’t perfect.
The perfect stage doesn’t have to be set for joy to come. Jesus didn’t have the perfect birth, the perfect 1st Christmas, far from it. Yet hope was born and joy was found. In less than perfect circumstances.
That is who God IS. He bends down to meet us in the lowly places, when we are at our lowest and He rescues us. We can’t help but rejoice, in the midst of our tears.
My kids are counting down the days until they get to open their presents. It’s just so hard to wait, they say. But Jesus’ presence is available to us now, we don’t have to wait. Immanuel, means God with us. (Matt 1:23)
Let’s call on His name this Christmas. Choosing to trust Him, letting the truth wrapped up in His name wash over us.
Wonderful Counselor
Mighty God
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace
What name of Jesus will you unwrap this Christmas?