
A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be vast authority and endless peace for David’s throne and for his kingdom, establishing and sustaining it with justice and righteousness now and forever. —Isaiah 9: 6-7
When my husband John and I were expecting our first baby, we began – as many expectant parents do – to consider what we would name the baby. This was back in the day when ultrasound technology was just being developed, and ultrasounds were not common for routine pregnancies. I did not have one and we were ‘in the dark’ as to whether we would have a girl or a boy. John was very clear that he wanted to name our baby the name that he or she would be called: no nicknames for our child!! We chose the name James for a boy. And James is what we called him: not Jim, or Jimmy or Jay Jay or Jas or Jamus. James!
I remember very clearly a Sunday morning that James came with me on my circuit of three churches. He was about two years old. At the third church, after the service was over, one of the men in the church came up to us and said to James, “Hi there, Jimmy. It’s good to see you this morning.” James straightened himself up to his full three feet of height and very adamantly said, “My name is James!” As far as I know, no one has ever called him anything else.
I love this passage from the prophet Isaiah as he tells his readers who the coming Son, the Promised One will be. His name will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He has more than one name. These names are the foundation for our understanding of who Jesus is. They are the basis for knowing something about who the people should expect and what kind of Messiah God is sending. When I read these names for Jesus, I am filled with hope and joy. I am comforted by the knowledge of just who our Savior will be.
I might have only one name by which I call my older son, but I am truly glad that there are many names that help me understand who Jesus is.
Almighty God, thank you for sending Jesus to be with us. Thank you for the prophet Isaiah who gave us names to call our Messiah so that we can begin to understand who he is. Help us as we go through this Advent season to grow in knowledge, in faith and in our relationship to Jesus. Amen.
Rev. Marie Williams