Christmas is a time we think of the name Jesus. We are honoring his birth. The prophets of old told of a child who will be named, “Emmanuel.” God with us. That is the whole point of advent. We call it the incarnation. God coming into the world incarnate, or in the flesh. God with us. We often jump to the cross too soon. Advent is not about lent or even Easter. Advent, Christmas is embracing God’s presence with us on earth as in heaven. What better way to enter the world, just like we did as a child, as a baby.
In the temple the babies were named. The angel said his name shall be Jesus. The word is a derivative of the word “Joshua” meaning, “God saves.” God heals. The salve is in the flesh, in person.
Names for God in the Bible give us glimpses into who God is. Moses wanted to tell people who has sent him. What is your name? Yahweh. Richard Rohr said Yahweh matches our breath – “Yah (breathe in) weh (breathe out). Remember the words of breath and spirit are the same words in both Hebrew and Greek – ruach and pneuma. Yahweh. And what does the word for God mean? I am. We think of “am” as a linking verb or a being verb. It usually connects the pronoun “I” to something. We want to say, I am what? I simply am, God tells Moses. As natural as breathing, that is the name. The spirit is as present at the breath we breathe. This concept, this presence, this theory is complicated, yet it is simple when we realize it comes down to a baby in a manger in our world.
More descriptive words for God give us insight. As we read from the prophet Isaiah.

Wonderful Counselor : First there is the word wonderful. We have over used that word almost as much as the word awesome. Full of wonder, wonder, or mystery is a muck and Christmas time. We feel it, we sense it. Something is up. It is in the air we breathe. There’s a song in the air. Wonderful, that is God. What is good, what is exciting and so special. Wonderful, full of wonder. The word mystery comes to mind when I hear the word wonder. Mary pondered these things in her heart. Wonderful counselor -Holy spirit is compared to a counselor. A counselor listens, guides and directs our hearts in the way of peace in the way of love in the way of joy, in the way of hope.

Almighty God: We claim God is all-powerful. The creator of the world, the designer, the savior. Yet we often live as though that has no baring in our lives. The might of God is different from what we consider might. We often think might is right. And God found a way through a child, a humble woman, a man devoted and willing to listen to his dreams and change his mind for love, scientist who searched for what has come into the world through signs and wonders, night workers out on the job minding their own business of sheep. A chorus of angles singing to them, not to the powerful or the rich or even the religious, but to a bunch of shepherds. Yes, Almighty God, but not one who uses violence and power to change the minds and hearts of people. Sometimes we want even know what hit us when this kind of Almighty God shows up. The Bible even states some said, “Was that thunder?” Almighty God, yes. Destructive? No.

Everlasting Father: Not temporal but everlasting, eternal, – here today, yesterday, tomorrow. As much as we enjoy gifts this time of year. They do not last. This gift that came into the world, is eternal.

Father – abba, Our Father – heaven and earth, this shows us we are family. Everlasting Father, that is who God is, that is his name.

Prince of Peace: Brings us peace – breathed peace into the disciples. Sleep in heavenly peace, rest in peace, Peace is a fruit of the spirit.
When we get ready to start our day the Bible reminds us to shod our feet .with a readiness to give the gospel of peace, Zachariah after he was able to talk again, remember he was struck mute when he doubted God could give him a son, he sang a song a prayer and ended with “Guide our feet until a path of peace.” I love those words together, Prince and Peace. Prince – the royal priesthood of what? Peace. Now that is a different kind of royalty. Not about our tribe, not about excluding, not about geography, or skin tone, the Prince of the earth is a prince of peace. All others are a cheap imitation.

Names are often changed in the Bible. We know Jesus called Simon Peter. Simon means listen or hearing. As in God hears. There is another name that means “God hears” that is Ishmael. Remember Ishmael was the son of Abraham and Hagar, the servant of Sarah and Abraham. God hears is his name. Simon – listen, hear the voice of God and know God hears your cries. Peter, the rock. Rocks are stable. When Peter wanted to describe both Jesus and us he said we living stones. Living foundations, the incarnate Rock – in the flesh. Steady and alive. Stable and malleable. Peter went from a stumbling block to a cornerstone. The church is comprised of living stones, living in the flesh, incarnation is the Christmas message.

Saul – Paul Although this was more of the same name in two different languages. Not so much a change of a name as different people he was talking to in the way they pronounced his name. Having said that I find it interesting what the names mean. Saul = asked for, or prayed for. Paul means Small or Humble. Paul went from killing for his religion aka God, to humbly realizing he was not so perfect, just trying – he said of himself later in life: For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, I Corinthians 15:9-10
Today Paul is synonymous with Apostle, not seen as small for he wrote many letters to churches. Yet, he moved from thinking he was fighting for God, to humbly leading and remorseful for his violent tendencies. There is no hate like the hate of those who claim they are fighting for God.

Jacob – Israel : Jacob the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. Quite a story of this life. He was not compassionate or honest or humble. But one night he thought his brother was going to kill him and he wrestled all night with God. Or an angel, or a man of God, who knows exactly. But his name was changed from Jacob, to Israel. And what does the name Israel mean? One who wrestles with God. It is Ok, to wrestle with your understanding of God. It is Ok to question God in prayer. That is the name of the people of God.

God can change our names as well. We call others names. When we are children the names are often unkind. We think of ourselves in terms of unkind names. Our self-talk may be from our childhood or from our despair.

Our good God can transform our names. Let us sing this last hymn. I know it may be new to many of you. But it is worth learning. There are only 2 verses what our name should no longer be called and what God can change our name to. Let us sing this 2 times at least.

I will change, will change your name
I will change, will change your name

I will change your name
You shall no longer be called
Wounded, outcast, lonely or afraid

I will change your name
Your new name shall be
Confidence, joyfulness, overcoming one
Faithfulness, friend of God
One who seeks My face