What’s in a Name?

Naming is important to us. As parents, when we name our children, we either pour over lists in baby books (we did), or use popular culture (I wonder how many Hermiones and Cullens are coming along now?) Of course, there are the traditional favorites from the Bible and your family tree. My first name is Clifford, and I was not named after a big red dog but an education professor at Appalachian who was kind to my mother while she was pregnant with me, trying to graduate.

The meaning of the Biblical names can be fascinating. Abraham is “ father of many,” David is “beloved,” Elijah means “ my God is Yahweh,” while Matthew is a “gift of Yahweh,” and John means “Yahweh is gracious.”
Some names are quite descriptive: Isaac is “laughter.” Esau is “hairy,” while his brother Jacob is a “supplanter.” Leah, one of Jacob’s wives means “weary” (she did have a gang of children) and another wife Bilhah is “bashful.”

This time of year, when we sing Handel’s Messiah, we draw from Isaiah 9:6 in celebrating Christ’s birth. Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace-all great names. Entering a new year, we should especially treasure another name for Jesus. Emmanuel, God with us.

Live the Light

You have heard the joke that our nation’s Capitol shuts down during the holidays because the search for three wise men failed. Well, we tend to forget that the wise men in Matthew’s birth narrative appeared some time after the fact. No magi mixing with the shepherds on that starry night. The traditional 12 Days of Christmas actually runs from December 25 to January 6, framed by Jesus’ birth and the arrival of the wise men at the manger. They had studied the heavens and saw a special convergence that heralded the birth of a king. They followed the star toward Bethlehem. They presented Jesus with a Messiah’s prophetic gifts-gold for a king, frankincense for a priest and myrrh for a healer. I have long been enchanted by the wise men and their initiative, as well as their humility. Kings clothed in silk worshiping a king clothed in rags. The world turned. For us, a new era now becomes our new year. Whatever resolutions we make or don’t make, we should choose the one that brings Life. As we think so much about what we should do, should we not just remember who we should be? ”Arise, shine, for your light has come.” Receive God’s blessing, live the light.