The recent outrage about the wrong use of the name of Mohammed by a British teacher in Sudan has highlighted the importance of names. Just this morning while waiting for the children to gather for a local school assembly, I read the rules for the playground pinned up on the notice board. One rule went something like this 'we will only call each other by our proper names.' Names are important. It was no different on the first Christmas; Joseph was clearly told what names to give to Mary’s first born child – Jesus and Emmanuel. Names which reveal to us why he came, to save us and to be with us. Perhaps you are thinking, "Why doesn’t God intervene in the mess my life is in, or the mess of our world which is so unjust and unfair?" Truth is he has. God has come to save us from the very cause of all wrong, the sin in our hearts, and he has come to remain with us by his Holy Spirit.

It is so sad to see and hear how our society today uses these precious names of God and Jesus and Christ. Our national broadcasting networks constantly beam across our land the use of these special names as swear words. In fact, it is worse than sad, it is worse than an outrage, it is very dark indeed.

May we all, not only respect all names, but know personally the one who is the true and living God:

Father - Son, the Lord Jesus Christ - Holy Spirit

We send to all of you, our warmest Christmas greetings for a really peaceful and meaningful celebration of Christ’s birth. May you all experience his saving love and constant presence in the year ahead.

This comes with our love and prayers from all the Kilpatricks’ (which means Church of Patrick).