The Many Names of Christ

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

I know, I know. The social norm suggests that the Christmas Season shouldn’t start until after Thanksgiving, but this verse, which is also lyrics in Handel’s Messiah, has been playing through my head ever since my church started rehearsing it on Sunday. Plus, shouldn’t we be able to talk of and rejoice in Christ all year round?

As we approach the Christmas season, I would like to answer the following questions: “Who is Christ?” “What was his purpose in condescending to earth?” “Why is he necessary for salvation?” “What does he ask of me?”

We can begin to answer these questions by looking at the many names Christ has been given. Here are just a few:

Only Begotten Son (John 3:16, Mosiah 15:2)
The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25, Helaman 14:17)
The Savior of the World (John 4:42, 2 Nephi 31:13)
Advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1, Moroni 7:28)
Good Shepherd (John 10:14, 1 Nephi 22:25)
The way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6, 3 Nephi 27:27)
The Rock (2 Samuel 22:2, 3 Nephi 11:39)
The Light of the World (John 1:7-8, Mosiah 16:9)
The Bread of Life (John 6:35, Alma 5:34)
The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6, Alma 38:8)

Even through just reading and contemplating His names, we begin to understand the essential role He plays in our salvation. As the only begotten Son of the Father, He died and rose again so that we can be resurrected in the life to come. He can save us from our sins and deliver us from the power of evil. He is our advocate with the Father, so that the demands of justice and mercy can be met. He is the Good Shepherd who calls to His sheep. He is the way, the truth, and the life—if we build upon His Rock we will not fall amidst tempests and storms. He is the Light of the world, which gives light to our path when it seems dark and lonely. He is the bread of life—if we partake of His truth, we will never hunger, but will find peace in this life and in the life to come.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” (John 3:16).

Of the next few weeks, I will delve further into the names Christ has been given. My hope is that this will lead to increased hope and faith in Christ our Savior. I know that Christ is real, and that he lives today. He is the cornerstone of all that I know to be true. He is my hope, my peace, and my joy. I add my voice to the voice of His Latter-day apostles, that, "...Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son," (The Living Christ: The Testimony of His Apostles, 2000).