(December 13, 2009)

What is your nickname? Almost everyone has a nickname. Nicknames are fun, but when your parents torture you and your real name is kind of different. Ella Funt. Owen Money. Marsha Mellow. Zach Lee Wright. It makes it difficult to connect with friends when you have a strange first name.

If your name was Christmas, your name would be rejected by Facebook. If you would submit that, it wouldn't go through. Fortunately, there is an appeals process. So, what does this have to do with Christmas? Would we be able to friend Jesus on Facebook? Would Facebook reject Him? Would you say that this name on Facebook couldn't possibly be true? How many of us reject Jesus?

If you study scripture all the way through, you'll find that God is a Wonderful Counselor. How many times does a friend tell you what you need to know, but is afraid to hurt you feelings? Are they real a friend if they ignore things in your life that are putting your down a dark path? God loves us enough to tell us the truth and lead us to the truth. He will convict the world of sin...it's not our job. When we have this time with the Wonderful Counselor, He does it in a loving way. He doesn't demean us or convict us, but He will convict the sin. He wants the very best for us. Once you settle that issue, all of the sudden that conviction will lead to a release of the burdens in our lives.

Jesus is known also as Mighty God. It must have been something when He called Lazarus forth! Think about the transormations that occur on our favorite Christmas shows and movies: A Christmas Carol, It's a Wonderful Life, Christmas Vacation, How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

What if He entered his username as Everlasting Father? People are still searching to heal that relationship with our Father. We long to please that father figure. We need to get back in touch with our Heavenly Father. When we talk about the Everlasting Father, that's a hard concept to grasp.

Would it be cheesy to have be the Prince of Peace? The kind of peace here goes way beyond peace through military means. If you want something out of the King's castle, you'd need to ask the King. The Prince of Peace gladly gives His gifts to us. Once we experience that reconsiliation and restoration, we are to share that with others. The Peace of God gives us wholeness, completeness, tranquility. You can have this gift. But, if you are looking for it from someone else or something else, you are looking in the wrong place. When you seek the Prince of Peace first, then all other great things will fall into place.

- Jon Bruney