It’s the beginning of Christmas week as I’m writing this. I woke up early today thinking about what it is we’re truly celebrating. One way many people choose is to leave Jesus out of Christmas, only buying and getting presents, putting up decorations, traveling, watching football, eating cookies, and having a big family dinner. It made me think about why people would ever celebrate something they don’t believe in, like making Easter all about a bunny, kid’s candy baskets, Easter egg hunts and a ham dinner. Why do it at all if you don’t believe in what it stands for?
To me, the ultimate and obvious statement of this is when I see the word XMas. I don’t know where or when it came into use, but it isn’t just an abbreviation. The person who uses it is choosing to cancel Christ out of Christmas. We would never celebrate “XDay” instead of Mother’s or Father’s Day! Who we celebrate is the point.
This Christmas, I’m writing a thinkspace about the names and titles of Jesus Christ found in the Bible. They were written across thousands of years, from Genesis to Revelation. Not once is “X” used. Instead, we find that just one word isn’t enough to describe the magnitude and truth of who He is. It’s more like a symphony of notes that become even greater when played together. Here are just a few of them for you to hear:
Wonderful (Isaiah 9:6, 28-29)
Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)
Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6, 63:1)
Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6)
Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
Messiah (Daniel 9:25)
Creator (John 1:3)
Savior (Luke 2:11)
Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16)
Bread of Life (John 6:32)
True Light (John 1:9)
Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 41:14)
Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8)
Only Begotten Son (John 1:18)
King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15)
Deliverer (Romans 11:26)
High Priest (Hebrews 3:1)
Prophet (Luke 24:19)
Messenger of the Covenant (Malachi 3:1)
Teacher (Rabbi) (John 3:2)
Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 53:3)
Lord (Romans 1:3 [KJV], Revelation 17:14)
Judge (Micah 5:1 [KJV], Acts 10:42)
Immanuel (Which means God with Us, Isaiah 7:14)
Author and Finisher of Our Faith (Hebrews 12:2)
Holy One of God (Mark 1:24)
Son of the Highest (Luke 1:32)
Physician (Matthew 9:12, John 5:1-9)
Advocate (1 John 2:1)
Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5)
Good Shepherd (John 10:11)
Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4)
True Vine (John 15:1)
The Almighty (Revelation 1:8)
Lawgiver (Isaiah 33:22)
Master (Matthew 8:19, 23:8)
Light of the World (John 8:12)
Lamb of God (John 1:29)
Glory of the Lord (Isaiah 40:5)
Beloved Son (Matthew 12:18)
The Image of the Invisible God (Colossians 1:15-21)
Son of Man (Matthew 8:20)
Carpenter (Mark 6:3)
Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22
Only Begotten Son (John 3:16)
Heir of All Things (Hebrews 1:2)
Cornerstone (Psalm 118:22)
Jehovah (Isaiah 26:4)
The Word (John 1:14)
Lord of All (Acts 10:36)
Fountain of Living Waters (Zechariah 13:1)
Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5)
Dayspring (Luke 1:78)
Bridegroom (Matthew 9:15)
Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25)
Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 22:16)
I AM (John 8:58)
The Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)
King of Israel (John 1:49)
God (Isaiah 40:3)
Christ (which means Messiah or “Anointed One”) (Matthew 1:16, 2:4)
For more study: This is a list of only 61 names and titles for Jesus. Cruden’s Complete Concordance compiled by Alexander Cruden, lists 198 different names and titles of Jesus in the Bible. The Concordance was first published in 1737 and has been in print ever since.
RESET HIGHER: Have you made room in your heart for Jesus this Christmas, or has there been “no room at the inn” for Him? Instead, you can open the door of your heart right now and ask Him to come in for real. Pray and accept HIS most precious gift of all: forgiveness of your sins and the promise of eternal life – and an abundant life here on earth. Follow Him, learn of His love and goodness and the promises He has waiting for you in His Word, the Bible. Make this the very best Christmas you’ve ever celebrated with true joy for all the right reasons! Merry CHRISTmas!
