So what’s in a name? Apparently, a heck of a lot!

A name bestowed can be lived-up to, lost and regained. It can be thrown away or torn down; defended and vindicated. The current social interest in genealogy reveals the fascinating evolution of family names, sometimes over centuries, and across geographic and cultural boundaries. Names reflect the challenges and conflicts of life, such as work and trade, marriage, divorce, migration, adaptation, compromise and convenience. They can be a window between the present and the past.

Few of my generation share my given name. It felt embarrassingly old-fashioned to be called Norma; and throughout much of my early school years, I am sure that I could have traded my name for something more ordinary and contemporary-sounding. But in bestowing his name upon me, my father, Norman, connected me to my familial and cultural roots. The significance of who I am, in his human understanding and expectation, rests in that name.

Now think of God the Son coming to earth as a newborn baby. What name could God the Father bestow on this child to express the deep significance of who He was, is and who He will be? What name could endure as long as humanity lasts and beyond? The Old Testament prophet Isaiah, overwhelmed by the sheer scope of this baby’s mission, couldn’t pin it down to just one name: “Wonderful Counselor; Mighty God; Everlasting Father; Prince of Peace; Lord of Heaven’s Armies” (Isaiah 9:6-7). But the Apostle Paul, with New Testament hindsight, sums up all of that mission in one claim: There is no other name given under heaven by which mankind can be saved, except… Jesus. (Acts 4:12) There is no other name. There is no other person.

Jesus is the launching pad for a thousand faith journeys to salvation, freedom and abundant life.