December 7, 2015

Isaiah 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

One of my Advent traditions is to break out the CD of highlights from The Messiah by Handel. The above verse is the text for one of the better known parts (check it out at www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS3vpAWW2Zc). Shakespeare had Juliet ponder, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Yeah, maybe. I’ve named three offspring and I know that those names were given for a reason and have only become more special through the years. But maybe it is the nicknames we give out that focus on an attribute that are even more noteworthy. Those of us of a certain age know who “the Great One” is and why he was just that (Wayne Gretsky for you kids- Google him). Brangelina is recognized by most of us these days as a pop culture reference to a famous couple. We call our loved ones, and even our pets, names that affectionately embellish cherished characteristics. So these names describing the one promised to the people of God, the one we celebrate at Christmas, touch our hearts as well as our minds. They are as significant sung as they are dissected intellectually. What are you singing this Advent? What are your names for the child you celebrate at Christmas?