Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

The Sunday School Christmas program at our church this year is focused on a few of the various names for the Christmas child. The children are practicing songs that showcase the names Immanuel, Shepherd, Jesus, Savior, and Christ the King. The names chosen had to be limited or the program could have gone for hours.

Isn’t it interesting that there are so many names and titles used for Jesus Christ. Some are names like Jesus, Son of David, or Second Adam; but most are titles like Messiah, Prince of Peace, Chief High Priest, Eternal King, or Holy One of God. I really like the ones that are metaphorical like Good Shepherd, Spotless Lamb, Lion of Judah, Bread of Life, and Light of the World. I like these because they say so much—they paint a picture of my Savior as gentle, pure, fierce, and life-giving.

Why do you think God has given us so many names for His Only Begotten Son? Even though He came to earth in human form and was given the legal name of Jesus Bar Joseph, our Savior and Redeemer is so much more than that. One name, or even a few, could never serve to adequately describe Him. If you use the internet to pull up a list of names for Jesus, you’ll find dozens or hundreds! As you read through the list, you are forced to contemplate so many characteristics and qualities of Jesus that make Him so precious.

Take time during this season of blessing to ponder the many names of our Lord, who came to set us free.

By Grace Barnes, Bible League International volunteer, Michigan, U.S.