Celebrate Christmas with 5 Names of Jesus
- Celebrate Christmas with 5 Names of Jesus
Does Christmas feel stressful this year. It’s rights round the corner, but I have definitely struggled with feeling overwhelmed by all the things. I love Christmas…LOVE IT. But this year, the outside pressures have threatened to steal my joy.
When money is tight, or illness won’t let go or there are big unknowns in your situation, it can be hard to feel joyful.
I was talking to Jesus,saying, “Lord…I feel overwhelmed and Christmas is too much this year. What should I do?” And I felt this prompting…this nudge. “Go look at my names.”
And so I did…I went and looked. And friend, it is hard not to feel joy when you look at the names of Jesus. So if you feel like your sparkle is a little dim…if your problems are too big, come walk with me. Let’s take a look at just 5 of His names. They are for you today.
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5 Names of Jesus We Can Celebrate This Christmas
In Hebrew culture, names were more than nice labels. Their meaning represented a calling on someone’s life. In some ways, it was like a mini prophecy over them.
This of course is really cool when we look at the names of Jesus. His parents gave him one name…but He was given many others and He even gave himself some!
Yeshua
Yeshua is the Hebrew word for Jesus. It means, “salvation.” But when we look a little deeper, it means so much more than salvation, like our golden ticket to heaven. It means deliverance, provision, health and so much more.
Jesus is our salvation, our provision, our health and deliverance. He is the fullness and restoration of all things. When I look at my life through that lens, it feels so much more hopeful knowing that Jesus is who He said He is.
Advocate
In 1 John 2:1, it says, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”
I love this picture of Jesus as an advocate. An advocate is someone in between. The word advocate in English is translated from parakleton in the Greek. That word means “helper, adviser or counselor.”
When I think about circumstances in life that feel overwhelming, I love the image of Jesus coming alongside to help, advise or counsel. He gets into the middle of the mess.
We are not alone, nor do we need to solve our problems on our own. He brings the fullness of His power into our situation.
Alpha and Omega
In Revelation 22:13, Jesus calls himself the Alpha and Omega…literally the beginning and the end. I know when I feel overwhelmed, it is because I am in the middle. I know how the situation started but I don’t know how it ends. And that can feel stressful.
Trusting that Jesus is the Omega…He is the end. I know that He is in that future. It’s appropriate that He calls himself the Alpha and Omega all the way at the end of the Bible.
Many children’s books close with the words, “The End.” But Jesus, just a few verses from the last words of the Bible, calls himself The End!!
The Bread of Life
Throughout the Bible, bread is often a picture of abundance or life. In John 6:35, Jesus is talking to his disciples and says,“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
In a season where there doesn’t seem to be enough, it is easy to focus on the lack…what is missing. But Jesus tells his disciples and us too to see him as the source of life…the source of abundance.
The Light of Life
I love this name for Jesus because it is so appropriate around Christmas. Outside it gets dark so early, but a candle lit on the table adds light and warmth to the whole room.
In John 8:12, while debating with some Jews, Jesus said, “ I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
I think this verse is interesting because in times of stress, it can feel very dark and lonely. Light brings life and joy, but darkness is a place of shadows and hiding.
I read this verse and think about darkness representing a kind of depression in some ways. When my circumstances threaten to overwhelm me, it feels depressing.
But Jesus…He is the Light of the World. I love the hope that His name brings to difficult times.
Celebrate His Names As Part of Advent
As you look forward to Christmas, I want to encourage you to do so through the lens of the names of Jesus. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. His names and His promises toward us do not change.
Celebrate His names and what they mean to you and your circumstances. They represent joy outside of circumstances.
Advent is a wonderful time of year to focus on Jesus and celebrate Him through all kinds of family activities. We like to use a Book Advent Calender as a fun activity with our younger kids.
I have found that Advent is one of my favorite ways to teach our kids about the Bible. They love gathering round the table. It’s dark outside. We light the candles and there is usually some kind of treat involved. From the little kids to the big ones, it is a special tradition that I encourage you to do with your own family as you celebrate Jesus this season.
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Sarah McCubbin
Sarah McCubbin lives with her husband Mike and 9 kids in Northeast Ohio. She writes about education, leadership, social skills and practical life topics at www.tenminutemomentum.com.
