I do not remember a lot from my childhood about Christmas, except for the secular traditions that brought great excitement to my young life. The presents were always a big part of the day as well as eating with all my relatives. I especially looked forward to the baked lima beans, they were my favorite! And if it snowed on Christmas, well, that was the cherry on top. But I do remember sitting in church and really liking the hymns. I know, that’s kind of weird for a 10-year-old, but I enjoyed the sound and the words. “O come all ye faithful” was one of my favorites.
This beautiful Christmas hymn invites everyone to come to Him. Come to worship Him, come to adore Him, come to powerfully sing the songs of heaven so that His name is exalted. But just who is it that we are singing to? What is his name?
HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL!
About halfway through the song the writer tells us exactly what His name is. First, he says it is Wonderful. When I think of things that are wonderful, I think of a car I used to own that would start every morning even when the temperature was so cold that my fingers stuck to the steering wheel. I think of a job I used to have that paid me more than what I thought I was worth yet God graciously provided me every day with the ministry tools I needed. It was wonderful. And then of course I think of that special meal my wife made me for Father’s Day. It was unbelievable; it was wonderful.
HE IS IMMANUEL
When I think of things that are wonderful, they usually bring warmth, a sense of accomplishment, and of course, satisfaction. Christ brings all of these because He is wonderful. But He has another name, He is the Counselor. Jesus is someone that I can trust to tell my story to, even though He already knows it. He still wants me to come to Him and pour out my heart to Him. His name shall be Wonderful, Counselor, Everlasting Father. His name is also Prince of Peace and Mighty God. But that last one really gets me. His name shall be Immanuel. Wow! That name means “God with us”!
WHO ARE WE SINGING TO?
Everyone is supposed to sing: the choirs of angels, the citizens of heaven, and all on earth. I cannot imagine that leaves anyone! And who are we singing to? Immanuel. God with us. There are so many religions out there that promise people the moon, but they never follow through, because they cannot. In Christianity we find answers to life’s problems because we worship the God who understands each of us. He is the God who is there with us, to care for us all the time, and He invites us to enjoy his presence daily. Yes, we will praise His name forever because He is Christ the Lord!
His name shall be Wonderful, Counselor. His name shall be Everlasting Father. His name shall be Prince of Peace, Mighty God. His name shall be Immanuel. O come, let us adore Him Christ the Lord!