What's in a Name?

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).

People choose names for their children based on a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes it is for the tradition a passing a family name on to the next generation. Sometimes, a name is chosen based on its meaning and sometimes a name is just chosen because parents like it.

We've had over two years to think about the name of our baby girl. We are considering African names, a grandparent's name, names we just like, and names with special meanings. One day, my oldest and I were looking on the Internet for African baby girl names. This one struck us the most: "Ekenesenarhienrhien"! Is that not the longest name, ever! The meaning of it, however is quite special, "acknowledge that which God has given". Maybe we could shorten it??? Some of Jesse's fav's were: "Jojo", "Sisi", "Tale", "Yaa", etc. Was he being silly or what? Some of my top picks were/are: "Jendayi" (give thanks), "Jamilia" (beautiful), "Jahzara" (Ethiopian for Blessed Princess), "Mariama" (gift of God), "Desta" (happiness), "Joanna" (God is gracious/grace/gift of the Lord), "Melesse", "Alitash", etc. Of course there are the names that we just like such as, "Lillian", "Lynelle", etc. We would also like to keep her birth name. Needless to say, we have not yet decided on her name. Hopefully, we'll need to make up our minds very, very soon.

"...And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

Throughout the Bible there are numerous names/attributes given to our Lord. Such names/attributes include: Abba, Most High, Yahweh, I AM, Creator, Potter, King, Righteous One, El Shaddai, Alpha, Omega, Shepherd, Provider, Healer, Counselor, etc. etc. The list goes on, but the one name that means sums it up for me, especially as we celebrate Easter this weekend is "Saviour". Thinking about what Jesus did for me on that cross makes me want to cry out and say as the hymn says, "Hallelujah! What a Saviour!" We were blessed by that song last Sunday and tonight at our church's Easter performance, "Believe". It was very hard to keep a dry eye as the choir powerfully sang, "Man of Sorrows, What a Name"

Man of Sorrows, what a name

For the Son of God who came

Ruined sinners to reclaim!

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,

In my place condemned He stood,

Sealed my pardon with His blood;

Hallelujah! What a Saviour.

Lifted up was He to die,

"It is finished," was His cry,

Now in heaven exalted high,

Hallelujah! What a Saviour.

When He comes, our glorious King,

All Hs ransomed home to bring,

Then anew this song we'll sing,

Hallelujah! What a Saviour.