What's in a Name?

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.(Isaiah 9:6 New King James Version )

  

When I was a kid, dreaming of someday being a writer, I knew I always wanted to write under my maiden name. At the time, I think that I mostly never imagined getting married and changing my name in the first place. After getting married twice and changing my name twice, more than ever, I wanted to recognize my maiden name. But not for myself.

My dad, Paul Loehmer, was the smartest person I ever knew. He dropped out of school after the eighth grade  to work to support his family. But he read everything he could get his hands on. He self-taught himself anything he wanted to know. His most amazing gift was that he could pick up almost any musical instrument and play any tune on it by ear. That is certainly a gift I didn’t inherit.

My sister, Patricia Loehmer, was the second smartest person I knew. She too read everything she could find. She’d inhale books like the rest of us inhale the air around us. On top of her massive intelligence, she was stubborn. Maybe a more positive synonym to use is tenacious. If she was given any task to do, she would work day and night until it was finished and done to perfection.  

And so everything I write is in tribute to these two people. But I would be remiss if I didn’t also pay tribute to the one on this planet, in this present life, who supports me the most. That would be the hubby, Mr. Kincaid,  Ricky to my Lucille Ball. My other half, my better half.

I would’ve stuck with my given first name, Christine, but I thought my handle was becoming long enough the way it is. And so I write as Chris Loehmer Kincaid.

The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12 The Message Bible

The shepherds had been told about a baby born in Bethlehem and the angel was there to convince these men to go visit the infant. The angel told them several of the names that the baby would one day be called. In Isaiah 9:6, there is an even longer list of names: Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Throughout Scripture, Jesus has even more titles – the Anointed One, Redeemer, Emmanuel.

Why so many names for one person? Well, why not? There are not enough superlatives to describe Jesus. There is not just one name that expresses who He is. He is the One.

Do you have a nickname? Does your spouse call you "sweetheart,” or "honey,” or some other affectionate name? Did your mom call you by your full name when you were in trouble? The name we were given at birth is important, but sometimes the names that we go by matter just as much.

From The Christmas Story in 40 Days, out by mid-November. Currently available for pre-order from the publisher, Life Sentence Publishing.