Hearing His Name
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“She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
I am the youngest of five children. As a child, my dad was notorious for calling the roll of names before naming the child he needed at the moment. I learned to wait until my name was called before responding.
We like hearing our name spoken especially when it is spoken with love, in recognition and encouragement or called to come to dinner. Your name signifies you have lived and are known by others. In conversation, when a name is spoken, we have an image of the person and usually a memory connected to how we know the person.
In familial relationships, additional names are added to given names like Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Honey, and numerous nick names. These names describe the relationship and the love that bind each one together.
When my parents died I no longer spoke the names “Mom and Dad”, but I began to share many Mom and Dad stories. When I gather with my siblings, we share a lot of Mom and Dad stories and memories. My heart is full of gratitude for their lives, love and foundation.
After my husband, Dave died, I missed not only his presence and our love and companionship, but I missed his name being spoken and people asking about him. Some avoided mentioning his name. I wanted people to speak his name and share memories. I needed to hear his name and that he made a difference and would never be forgotten.
I also realized after Dave’s death, I not only missed hearing his name, but I missed the names of endearment he spoke to me. I would never again hear those special names he called me or speak those names to him. We give intimate and sometimes humorous names to those we love. They connect our hearts in love.
Every morning I speak Dave’s name and say, “Good morning.” Each evening I say, “Good night” with terms of endearment. I miss hearing his response. My heart though still hears them.
Hearing our loved one’s name brings a flood of memories. As I sat in Marseilles United Methodist Church recently for a funeral, my mind was filled with names of people I remembered from childhood who were part of this three church circuit. I remembered their smiles, words of encouragement, and their presence in my life. Speaking their names made them real and valued.
In this Christmas season, the name of Jesus needs to be spoken as the true meaning of Christmas. It is the birth of Jesus we celebrate, and his name is life changing.
“God made Jesus’ name greater than every other name so that every knee will bow to the name of Jesus…And everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and bring glory to God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11
Jesus’ name has power. Jesus was born, lived, died and was resurrected and sits at the right hand of God in Heaven. Speak the name of Jesus. Saying Jesus’ name over and over calms my spirit when I am anxious. It reminds me that Jesus loves me and will always be with me.
Our loved one was born, lived, died and now because of Jesus is in heaven. Keep speaking the names of your loved ones. They are still a part of your life. Speak the names of those who lived and died and are now in heaven. Their love and influence will always be a part of you. When you hear their names spoken by others, memories of love will fill your heart. You will give thanks that others remember because you will always remember them.
