What’s in a name?

For the past few days, I’ve been thinking a lot about names. Maybe it’s because of hearing all of the names read out at the Remembrance Sunday service and reflecting that behind each name was someone’s loved one. After the service, people came into St James to look at the displays of poppies and they lit candles. Each flickering flame representing their loved one known to them by name.

During December, the ‘When Christmas Hurts’ tree will gradually fill with baubles representing loved ones who we miss or a situation that we find hard. At the quieter more reflective ‘When Christmas Hurts’ service (Saturday 17th December at 3pm) we’ll read names of those we’ve lost and light candles for loved ones and situations too. In the Bible, Psalm 112 says ‘Even in darkness, light dawns’ and in the Gospel of John chapter 1 verse 5, the Bible says, ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ Light brings us hope in the dark times, and that light is Jesus. We know that at times our world can seem a very dark place. That very first Christmas, Jesus (meaning Saviour) was born into a violent, oppressive, and dark world, but he brings hope as the Light of the World.

In the carols that we sing together, lots of different names are used for Jesus - Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counsellor, Saviour, Lamb of God, Son of God, Redeemer, and lots more. My favourite name for Jesus is ‘Immanuel’ which means God with us, because that’s been my experience through the highs and lows of life and I’ve seen it in lots of other peoples’ lives too. No matter what we go through, God is in it with us.

So my prayer for each of you this month is that you know the light of the Christ child this Christmas. Blessings, Vikki

PS I mentioned the Poppy Displays and I want to say thank you to Southam Mothers Union and their wonderful knitter friends who created the beautiful, poignant displays in and out of St James. They were greatly appreciated by many, so thank you for bringing people together!