Advent reflections: Titles of Jesus
- Chris Lewis
- Nov 28
- 10 min read
Updated: 7 hours ago
An advent candle from the charity ‘Embrace the Middle East’ has given us the idea for a daily reflection, which we will post on our Facebook Community page every day throughout December until Christmas Day.
There are many names and titles which the Bible gives to Jesus. The Old Testament talks about waiting for a ‘Redeemer’, known as the ‘Prince of Peace’. Jesus calls himself the ‘Good Shepherd’ and ‘The Vine’. After the resurrection, Peter writes about Jesus being the ‘Perfect Sacrifice’. What other ones can you think of?
Starting on Monday 1st December and carrying on until Christmas Day, we will explore some of these names and titles which have been given to Jesus. Each day we will concentrate on one name or title. We will look at a Bible verse and there will be a short reflection, put together by one of our Core Team.
We hope the reflections will help to prepare our minds for Christmas celebrations, and hopefully provide a bit of calm during a hectic time of year. If you feel inspired by any of the reflections and would like to contribute something, or get creative, we would love for you to do so by posting in the comments beneath each reflection. Thoughts, poetry, writing, prayers, art or music- all will be welcome, as we explore what Jesus means to us!
Day 1 Jesus - The Word
The word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighbourhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
Like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.
John 1:14 (The Message)
I wonder what sparks your interest in this picture?
Prayer
Lord, Advent your people,
If you’re feeling weary, O come, all ye heavy-laden.
If your heart is full, O come, all ye grateful.
If you’re anxious about the future, O come, all ye fearful.
If you’re hopeful but hesitant, O come, all ye curious.
If you’re carrying a grief, O come, all ye brokenhearted.
If you’re ready for a fresh start, O come, all ye expectant.
If you’re barely hanging on, O come, all ye exhausted.
However you arrive, there’s a place for you here. We know there are many demands on your time. We know the pace of this season is nonstop. We know the nights are longer and the days are colder. God beckons us to reset, recenter, and be reoriented together.
Amen
Day 2 Jesus - Light of the World
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"
John 8:12 (NIV)
What do you picture when you think about God being the Light Of The World? Some common images are of stars, the sun, lighthouses and candles. I wonder what your image is.
I wonder how many of you have enjoyed singing the following song over the years as much as I have. Listen to it again on this link, and reflect on the lyrics if you like.
"Lord the light of your love is shining,
In the midst of the darkness shining,
Jesus light of the world shine upon us,
Set us free by the truth you now bring us,
Shine on me"
Prayer:
Radiant God
May your light shine into the dark places in the world, highlighting ways to safety and peace.
Jesus, light of the world
We give thanks for the lights you shine ahead of us, leading and guiding us in our worry and fear.
Spirit of light
Help us be the light for others, showing the way to you in hope and rejoicing in your love
Amen
Day 3 Jesus- Advocate
I write this, dear children, to guide you out of sin. But if anyone does sin, we have a Priest-Friend in the presence of the Father: Jesus Christ, righteous Jesus. When he served as a sacrifice for our sins, he solved the sin problem for good—not only ours, but the whole world’s. - (1 John 2:1 - The Message Translation)
"Advocacy is not about speaking on behalf of others; it's about ensuring their authentic voices [in their own words] are heard." - Anderson Marsh
To be an advocate is to listen. Society can’t move forward without both.” – Eva Marie Lewis
Social Advocacy is Social Justice, particularly on behalf of populations/groups that have been or are disadvantaged, disempowered, or discriminated against. Society advocacy can help influence social policy, including government decisions.
"Hands and feet of Jesus" is a Christian metaphor for being Christ's physical presence in the world today by performing acts of love, service, and compassion for others. It means using your actions to show God's love and meet the needs of those around you, echoing the work Jesus did during his ministry by serving the sick, the poor, and the forgotten.
What might God be saying to you through these words and pictures?
What's drawing your attention?
We're called to be Jesus' Hands and feet. What might Jesus be inviting you to do?
Hymns that might help you reflect on today's theme -
Prayer
To our wonderful advocate…
To the one who guides
Through all life's light and shade,
My rock, my shelter.
To the one who shouts with me
Through joy and pain,
My comforter, my encourager.
To the one who lifts me up
beyond what I believe I can reach,
My strength, my inspiration.
To the one who sacrificed his life,
Defeated death and lives once more,
My defender, my forgiver,
To the one who stands
with me, and for me for all time,
my advocate, my Jesus.
Amen.
Day 4 Jesus- Lamb of God
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 (NIV)
This beautiful song, ‘O Come All You Unfaithful’ by Lisa Crow and Bob Kauflan explores this theme, and reminds me that I can come to Him, just as I am.
Do any of the lyrics resonate with you?
O come, all you unfaithful
Come, weak and unstable
Come, know you are not alone
O come, barren and waiting ones
Weary of praying, come
See what your God has done
Christ is born, Christ is born
Christ is born for you
O come, bitter and broken
Come with fears unspoken
Come, taste of His perfect love
O come, guilty and hiding ones
There is no need to run
See what your God has done
Christ is born, Christ is born
Christ is born for you
He's the Lamb who was given
Slain for our pardon
His promise is peace
For those who believe
He's the Lamb who was given
Slain for our pardon
His promise is peace
For those who believe
So come, though you have nothing
Come, He is the offering
Come, see what your God has done
Christ is born, Christ is born
Christ is born for you
Christ is born, Christ is born
Christ is born for you
Prayer
Thank you Jesus, Lamb of God,
that you made the perfect sacrifice
so that we could have our sins forgiven
and be blameless in the eyes of God.
Amen
Day 5 Jesus-Deliverer
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
Luke 4:18-19
Listen to this beautiful piece of music by Elgar which sets these verses to music.
Reflect on times when God has delivered you from troubles. Does this name still resonate with you when you are struggling and waiting for deliverance?
Day 6 Jesus- Prince of peace
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27 (NIV)
I love peaceful times with my piano,
When I can just 'be'-
Listening, responding and enjoying
the gift of peace Jesus brings.
Do you have a place like this?
But peace can also break out
In the most unusual places,
In the most difficult and odd times.
When human understanding can't expect,
Peace appears!
Jesus is present!
Have you ever experienced something like this,
When peace seems to search for you?
Prayer:
Thank you Prince of Peace
For your reassuring presence flowing through me
Every day, no matter what.
Amen.
Advent Day 7 - Immanuel
"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him “Immanuel” (which means “God with us”)."
Matthew 1:23 NIV
Listen to this advent hymn today.
When you think of Jesus being "God with us" what emotions, images or thoughts arise for you?
O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go.
O come, O Branch of Jesse's stem,
unto your own and rescue them!
From depths of hell your people save,
and give them victory o'er the grave.
O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light.
O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace.
Prayer
God of light
Be with us in the dark times
When we struggle to see the way
Help us to feel your comfort ever with us
To know our worth in the world
To hear your voice leading us each day
To praise you as we emerge hopefully into safety
Remind us to celebrate your love that knows no end
And to transform that celebration into action for those less blessed than ourselves
Blessed is Jesus who comes in the name of the Lord
Amen
Day 8 Jesus - Son of God.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 (NIV)
What a gift from God!!!
His only son, sent to earth as a baby. What an unfathomable, miraculous mystery. Given. For us. For you. For me.
Spend some time pondering this. Use the clip art image, or the song link to allow praise, worship and thankfulness to rise within you.
Day 9 Jesus - Righteous Judge
" And now there is waiting for me the prize of victory awarded for a righteous life, the prize which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day - and not only to me but to all those who wait with love for him to appear".
2 Timothy 4 : 8 NIV
Lord,
You came to make us holy.
Your righteousness is a relief to our souls,
Shining out in a world that is so marred by darkness and corruption and violence.
You come as a plumbline, showing what is true, right and just.
You come as a purifying fire, burning away what harms us and holds us back.
Help us remember that you see us in the light of your love.
We will see you face to face, standing in the presence of Love,
and all we are and have been will be seen and known.
Lord, help us keep faithful, trusting your love as we wait for you.
Amen.
Day 10 Jesus- Author of Salvation
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."
Acts 4:12 (NIV)
Listen to this worship song that proclaims God is the Author of Salvation.
Here are some of my other favourite lyrics in the song:
"Everyone needs compassion
A love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour
The hope of nations
...
So take me as you find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything that I believe in
Now I surrender"
Do you resonate with these lyrics too? Which is your favourite?
Day 11 Jesus- Redeemer
"I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth."
Job 19:25 (NIV)
Listen to this classic hymn today.
How do the words and music make you feel?
I like the image of being held in God's powerful hand. Do you like this image, or what other images from the song do you resonate with?
Prayer
Jesus our redeemer
Our hope lives in you at all times
Bless us with the faith to hold fast to you during the dark times, just as Job did.
We trust you to bring justice to the world and to reveal your love and truth in everything.
We pray this in your perfect name
Amen
Day 12 Jesus- Founder and Perfecter
…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
I have written this poem inspired by the Bible verse:
Jesus the founder
Author
Pioneer
Initiating our faith
Leading us through life
Blazing a path to follow
Guiding us when in strife
Jesus the Perfecter
Empowerer
Teacher
Bringing faith to perfection
Completing God's mission
Teaching us obedience
As we follow his commission
I wonder...
Do any of these names for Jesus make the most sense to you and your faith?
Do you have a favourite?
I have included a painting from my series "Following Jesus". It is a painting in oranges, yellows and browns of a number of six people walking towards the horizon.
You might like to listen to the hymn “O Lord my God (How Great Thou Art)” which came to my mind when I was completing the painting.
I wonder how the painting and hymn speak to you?
What do they make you think or feel?
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
thy power throughout the universe displayed;
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee
how great thou art, how great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee,
how great thou art, how great thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:
And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
sent him to die – I scarce can take it in
that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
he bled and died to take away my sin:
When Christ shall come with shouts of acclamation
and take me home – what joy shall fill my heart!
Then shall I bow in humble adoration
and there proclaim, ‘my God, how great thou art!’
Prayer
Jesus
Founder of our faith
Author of the truth
Model for our lives
We give thanks for the ways you inspire us every day
We ask that you help us every day to come closer to you, listening to your advice and following your example to love God, other people and ourselves
In your holy name
Amen
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