They called him Emmanuel

Originally Published in the South Jetty Newspaper 

My parents named me after my dad, who was named after my grandad. My son, Eli carries part of that hand-me-down name, as well. My name is a simplified immigrant name that was longer and even held some geography of the old country. 
Most of the time I’m called Dad or James, Fr. James or Padre. They all mean something a little different the context helps decide what I am called. 
Jesus of Nazareth was and is called by many different names. Blind Bart knew he was the Son of David and Rabbi. Mary Magdeline called him Rabbouni outside the empty tomb, only after he spoke her name.


This season when we celebrate Christmas, the winter festival of Christ’s light in the world, we might ponder that Jesus was called Emmanuel. It means God with us, and it is a deep revelation of the nature of God. God is not distant, but came to be with us, among us. God, born in a child to experience the limits of our humanity, and to redeem all humanity. No matter what our name may be, he called us children, disciples, and citizens of his kingdom. In a busy season, would do well to slow down and even rest to offer a simple thank-you prayer. “Emmanuel, thank you; I trust you are near to us. Amen.”

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