A Nickname Basis

John 1:14

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Hello and Merry Christmas, my name is Scooter Fassett.

Okay, maybe my name isn’t really Scooter, it’s Scott, but if you heard someone call me Scooter, you would know that they really knew me. You see, the adults in my childhood who knew and loved me most called me Scooter because they knew that from the moment I woke up, the time I went to bed, I sprinted everywhere I went. I scooted from point A until point B until I utterly collapsed. But that’s the funny thing about nicknames. They often reveal something unique or interesting about someone’s past or someone’s personality.

So today on Christmas, as we get to celebrate the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, he comes actually with a load of nicknames the Bible gives us. Just in the Advent season he’s given nicknames such as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the first and the last, and the Alpha and the Omega. And I left names off of that list, but I think there’s one particular nickname that we neglect to often associate with Christ, and that name is given to us in John chapter one, verse 14, where it says,

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:14)

I love this verse not just because of the promise that it gives us, but because of the imagery it gives us. When I hear the Word became flesh. I literally envision a heavenly scroll of God’s Word, like a roll of parchment billowing down to earth. And as it does, it condenses and it narrows into a cord, which then forms the umbilical cord of our Savior in his mother’s womb. I love that verse, and I love that image because it actually shows the Word is flesh.

And because we find it in His Word, we know that it’s not merely an analogy, it’s a reality. And that’s why we celebrate Christmas so intimately, because we’re even closer than a first name basis with our Savior, Jesus, we’re on a nickname basis. And we know from His Word that The Word that was made flesh lived a perfect life for you and for me. We know from His Word that The Word made flesh died on a cross, dying the death that you and I deserved because of our sin. And we know that from His Word that The Word made flesh really did rise again on Easter morning, giving us the greatest possible gift the gift of life, salvation, forgiveness of sins, and everlasting life itself.

Yes, even the Lord now claims you through your baptism. And when he baptizes you, he cleanses you of your sin. But he also gives you a new nickname. But when The Word made flesh gives you a new nickname, it’s not just an analogy, it is a reality. Yes, when you are baptized, you were given the name Beloved, Cherished, Forgiven, Redeemed. And most importantly, you are called a Child of God.

That’s not just an analogy. It’s your identity and it’s a reality.

So may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, The Word who became flesh, guard and keep your hearts and minds in your true identity this Christmas season and always. Amen.