“Are you excited for Christmas?”
I ducked my head, suddenly interested in the specks at the bottom of my mug of passion fruit tea.
As the silence drew long, I finally met her gaze. No use hiding, I thought to myself.
“Not really,” I admitted.
Her eyebrows shot up, but her eyes softened. “Why is that?” she asked.
I took a deep breath and let the memories wash over me.
Raised voices as we rolled the dough…
Thick tension as we hung the tinsel…
Sharp words as we drove to Christmas service…
But interlaced with these bitter moments were some sweet scenes too. And I couldn’t help but linger on them as they surfaced one by one.
…Polished boots awaiting St. Nick’s generous gifts of chocolates and candies.
…Mischievous grins worn by teenage boys dressed as magi in their first-ever Christmas pageant.
…Romanian carols sung aloud on the streets and whispered reverently in cathedrals.
Sometimes our childhoods are like stained-glass windows, shattered pieces assembled to reveal beautiful mosaics. I was a missionary kid in Romania for ten years and witnessed God do amazing things among the Gypsy people. I wouldn’t trade those years for anything, but that doesn’t mean it was perfect.
Underneath the guise of our picture-perfect family was an undercurrent of deep dysfunction that unraveled my parents’ marriage and ministry. There’s pain in those broken parts — a pain I didn’t want to pass on to my own children.
“Honestly,” I whispered, “I’m kind of anxious about Christmas.” I felt a lump form in my throat as I retold the stories.
“Asheritah,” she said, leaning across the table. “You can start fresh. When you create new traditions for your children, you’ll learn to reclaim the joy of Christmas.”
So I began, prayerfully asking the Lord to guide me in my quest for Christmas joy. One day, He led me to the names of Jesus, and I spent the Advent season that year pouring over His names like a little girl pours over an American Girl catalog.
Advent means coming, a season marked by the four weeks leading up to Christmas Day, observed by the church for centuries and meant to prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I don’t know which name I started with, but as the days rolled into weeks, I found myself immersed in the study of Jesus. Son of Man. King of Kings. Great High Priest. Emmanuel.
Like twirling a brilliant-cut diamond in sunlight, meditating on Jesus’ names leads us to admire the many facets of His character, each beautiful on its own, but when put together comprise a breathtaking picture of the Son of God made man for us.
As I unwrapped His names one by one, I found myself, like David, gazing upon the beauty of the Lord day by day and delighting in His presence (see Psalm 27:4).
That was three years ago, and my friend was right. Just like a little child anticipating Christmas morning, I awoke excited for each new day of Advent, every name bringing me a step closer to celebrating His birth. Because when we unwrap the names of Jesus, we rediscover the joy of Christmas.
He who is our Good Shepherd heals childhood wounds with the ointment of His presence. The Resurrection and the Life brings life to deadened parts of our souls. The Alpha and Omega gives us opportunities to start afresh, reclaiming the joy of Christmas as we begin new traditions.
This year, my two toddlers and I will color the paper ornaments my husband drew to represent each name of Jesus, and we’ll hang them on our tree.
We’ll play treasure hunt with our favorite Christmas carols as we try to spot His names.
And we’ll write Christmas cards to bring the joy of His Names into the homes of our loved ones around the world.
Unwrapping the names of Jesus offers us the gift of hope, joy, and love as we prepare to celebrate Christmas.
In this season of Advent, what name of Jesus do you find a comfort?
Leave a Comment
Michele Morin says
I love Alpha and Omega — and that’s the one we’ve started with for at least twenty years in our Advent devotions as a family. Like you, I had some “re-building” to do when it came to Christmas, and it never ceases to amaze me that God can remake us and start a new thing in a new generation — but then, Jesus is the Stem that grew from the root of Jesse.
Kim says
Prince of Peace
We so need peace in the world, in our country, in our family.
Come, Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace. Come.
Vickie G. Lynch says
I was eager to write “Prince of Peace” and I see that you were, too! There’s a verse that I memorized over 40 years ago and I have remembered it often. These holy words of Jesus Christ have taken me through many hardships in my life and have given me the comfort, joy and peace that only He can give.
Peace…John 14:27 ✝️
Asheritah says
Kim and Vickie, Prince of Peace is beautiful!! Not peace as the world gives, but true, transforming peace. ❤️
Asheritah says
Thanks for sharing your story, Michele. Nothing is lost, nothing wasted with our Jesus.
Sarah Geringer says
I too have childhood Christmas wounds. But the Prince of Peace has healed them with his presence, and with the help of many others.
Like you, I’ve found fresh joy in new traditions with my own family. I’m so thankful God always provides a new way.
This line is my favorite: “Sometimes our childhoods are like stained-glass windows, shattered pieces assembled to reveal beautiful mosaics.” So much hope in that statement!
Kathy Cheek, Devotions from the Heart says
Where we put our focus makes all the difference, doesn’t it? My favorite name is Immanuel, God with us!
Lydia says
Thank you for your words today! The sentence “Sometimes our childhoods are like stained glass windows, shattered pieces assembled to reveal beautiful mosaics.”, really resonated with me for two reasons. One I make stained glass pieces and two I had a shattered childhood-one that affects my parenting today. God is gracious and forgiving, more than I am to myself. Christmas is a hard time of year for me, as is any holiday, but my husband and I have made new traditions with our children, ones I hope bring that joy to overshadow the moments of frustrated voices or attitudes when trying to get things done for it. I thank God that my kids are gracious too. But I hope for that JOY to be renewed once more in me.
God bless your ministry. Merry Christmas.
Pearl Allard says
Asheritah, thank you for sharing a piece of your heart. This is beautiful. The name that stands out to me this year is Immanuel – God WITH us. I read something recently that said, “God would do anything to be with you.” I love that Christmas is the beginning of God doing everything to be with us.
Maija Jokinen says
The Lord my shepherd, the Lord my victory, the Lord my healer. Those are the ones I need the most right now. Thanks for the reminder!!
It is so beautiful that all the names in the Bible have a meaning…and they create their own story too. If you haven’t seen this video yet, you definitely should!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=O9b40locZSE
Rashawnda Dunbar says
Asheritah,
I absolutely love the Christmas traditions you have started with your children. What an awesome example of the Lord’s ability to take the broken pieces of our lives and shape them into something beautiful.
There truly is power in the name of Jesus and I love to call Him Immanuel!
Rebecca L Jones says
I was struck by Sarah’s term Christmas wounds, I never even thought of that. Prince of Peace is at the top of the list. But I like Wonderful too. All of them, what’s not to love?
Beth M Negrey says
The Good Shepherd — I’m a knitter and a learning-to-be-weaver, so I guess that makes sense!
Nylse says
I’m enjoying your advent devotional. Never thought about Lord of Lords but right now this is my favorite.
Summer Rae says
Miss Asherita,
A few easily come to mind: Comforter, Savior, All in All… but, when praying I find immense comfort in calling out to my Heavenly Father. In a world that is not our home and where families are not perfect, to know that our Heavenly Father will never leave nor forsake us …that He will shelter us and clothe us and that we will never hunger or thirst… to know that He is always with us truly listening, ready to wrap us up in his arms, is what gives me life. Thank you for sharing your story with us and sparking this moment of intentional thoughtfulness. Your encouragement was a true blessing today. I hope you and your family have a wonderful day and a blessed Christmas!
This side of Heaven,
Summer Rae
Susan Shipe says
Asherita, the girl with the gorgeous eyebrows. You are as lovely in real life as your words are on pages. Your book is on the end table. His Names on my heart. Love you, friend.
Beth Williams says
Asheritah,
Lately I’ve needed to reclaim my joy of Christmas. Life has gotten hard-dealing with aging parents’ health issues. Add to that the constant barrage of commercials for what we must buy-latest gifts, etc. We’ve lost the true meaning of Christmas. We say happy holidays not to offend anyone. This isn’t just any holiday-it is a birthday for the King of Kings & Lord of Lords. The one who came to save the world!! My song for the year is “Christmas with a capital C” by GO Fish! Here is a link to the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkIj94yepfU
Blessings 🙂