We have arrived on the other side of Christmas Eve. On behalf of all worship leaders everywhere, let me say one big WHEW! It was fun. We prepped, we gathered, we sang, and finally, we napped.
This morning, our congregation’s liturgy focused on Jesus’ name as it is scattered around the Scriptures. .1 We know who Jesus is in part because his name is whispered by the prophet Isaiah, foretold by the angel Gabriel, and announced by John the Baptizer. More than 2,000 years later, Jon Guerra asks who you say Jesus is.
His song, Nothing to Say to the New York Times, might be my favorite of 2025. Guerra explores how different groups in the gospels perceive Jesus, yet Jesus refuses to be confined by any one group. He is not concerned with who others claim he is; instead, he asks a deeply personal question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).
On this eve, eve, eve of a new year, who do you say Jesus is? Isaiah called him prince of peace, the angel Gabriel a Savior, and John the Baptizer the Lamb of God. What do you call him?
Who knows what you might encounter in 2026. What you do know is who goes with you into a new year, each time the dawn breaks, and whenever the darkness feels like molasses.
Who is this giver of endless chances, slate-cleaner, light-shining Savior to you? Who is this arms-outstretched, dividing-line-eraser, up-close-and-personal God-in-the-flesh to you?
And how might the names you give to Jesus be reflected in your own life?
- If Jesus gives you yet another chance, could you do the same for that one aggravating person in your life?
- If Jesus erases dividing lines, notice what group of people you keep at a distance, on the other side of a dividing line?
Jesus, name above all names, goes by many names, all for you. There is no question about that.
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
- For worship planners, we used a lovely Lessons and Carols option from Sundays and Seasons based on the Naming of Jesus. ↩︎
Lisa Lewton 