A New Name

I shared the song above this morning on Facebook. It’s my favorite Christmas song for a whole lot of different reasons, which is funny because as far as I know, it only exists as this YouTube video. You can’t buy it in a studio recorded version. You can’t listen anywhere else. I don’t even think another artist has done it. So why love such an inaccessible song?

The main reason I love this song is because of the lyrics. Mandi puts the gospel—the true meaning of Christmas—on full display in these lyrics. Different parts of the song hit me every time I listen to it. This morning, on my drive to work, I broke down crying because of this truth, “He gave me His name.”

As a guy, when I’m married, I don’t get a new name. But my wife did. In taking my name, she got a whole new family and vice versa. When two are joined to one some things change. We take another family as our own. There may be benefits to that family and there may be problems. There may be joys and there may be hardships. I think it’s safe to say that in every marriage, one will inherit both. There are no perfect families.

But here’s the big deal… When Jesus saves us, we are joined as one to Him. The Bible so often paints the picture of the church as the bride of Christ. He gives us His name and His family is perfect! In being joined to Jesus’ family we are promised a kingdom. This kingdom will have no more sorrow, no more pain, hope, joy, and a future. Jesus, in His amazing grace, marries a bride and His only benefit is us! We don’t bring anything to the table with our family. Instead, He gives us all His benefits expecting nothing in return.

This is such a precious truth. In Christ, we have been given a new name. You are no longer sinner, enemy, wretch. You are now precious, chosen, beloved, bride. May you press into this truth this Christmas season. “He opened up my eyes and He gave me His name. I am forgiven and it’s all because He came.”