Back in 1977, my husband and I were focused on coming up with the perfect name for, it would turn out to be, our firstborn son. The name had to be just right. It had to have meaning, reflecting our dreams for him and our hopes for his future.

It seems to be a universal desire in mankind to give meaningful names to our children. I believe that the desire has been planted in us by God, or at least reflects something of our likeness to Him. After all, it was God Who started it when He named His first created son Adam. And even before that, before time began, in that place we call eternity, God named His only begotten Son Jesus, which means The LORD Saves.

Of course, Jesus isn’t His only name. In Isaiah 9:6, the prophet foretold of the One Who would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He is also called the Bright Morning Star, the Good Shepherd, the Light of the World, and the Bread of Life…

But, of all the many names in the Bible given Him, I would have to say my favorite is the one found both in Isaiah 9:6 and in Matthew 1:22 and 23-

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means God with Us.”

I believe that Immanuel is the perfect name for the only begotten Son of God Who was sent to live and die amongst us so that He could live again within us.

It is the name that is just right.