The little boy was good in church. He was quiet. He sometimes listened to what his daddy was saying from the pulpit. There were times when he nodded off or colored the book his mom brought for him. Recently, he heard something that was a little confusing to his three-year-old mind. He knew his name and the name of his older sister, and he was learning the name of Jesus, but what his daddy was saying made him wonder; so, he listened, and he remembered.
Christmas was coming with all the excitement and fun, but also with more times in church, singing carols that he loved. But, again, he heard some things that added to his confusion. Still, he said nothing. Until one night. Just days before Christmas. As he and his daddy knelt to say their night-time prayers, he made up his mind to ask the questions that he had been saving.
As he was being tucked into bed, he started. “Daddy, I know about Elf on the Shelf, and the funny movie Elf, but who is Elf in the Bible?” His daddy thought about that, but before he could say anything, his son asked another question. “How can a man be bread? And, Daddy, I know that Jesus was not an Indian, so how could he be a Chief?”
Whoa, there son, you ask really good questions, and you know a good question requires a good answer. First, tell me, where are these questions coming from? It is important for me to know so I can give you a good answer.”
“Well, I call you daddy, but I know that your name is Michael. I call mommy, Mom, but I know her name is Mary. I call my sister lots of things, but her name is Sarah. You call me son, but my real name is David. What is Jesus’ real name? Is it Jesus? You called him Elf one time, and Shepherd another time. I almost laughed out loud in church tonight when you called Him mmmessy…something. And, Daddy, how…”
“Hey, slow down, my boy,” he said with a chuckle. “Let me try to answer one at a time. First, Jesus’ real name is Jesus, but we will talk about that later. Then you asked about Elf in the Bible. Let me think. You know about Angels. You think that Elf is a name I gave Jesus in one of my talks? Hmm. Elf. elf…, Alf…Alpha, Alpha and Omega.”
“Yes, that’s what you said, daddy. Is that Jesus’ name?”
“Oh, my dear son, you are so smart. No, that is not his name. It would be like how you feel about mommy. You think she is the best and you love her. Remember when we were playing ball and we stopped to admire the flowers in her garden, and you said mommy was the best flower planter in the whole world. Then, later, when we were having spaghetti for supper, you called her the best cook? So, you think she is both a flower planter and a cook and so much more. Those aren’t her real names, but they are ways to describe who she is. So, Alpha, not elf, is a word that tells who Jesus is. It means he is the beginning. And when I used the word Omega, that tells us that he is still there at the end. In other words, He is always with us wherever we go. He’s Alpha and Omega. Isn’t that good?”
The boy nodded, but said nothing.
His father continued, “You asked about the name Shepherd. Now you know a little bit about that. Mommy and I named you David after King David. Remember? You know some of David’s story. When, before he became a king, what did he do?”
“He was a shepherd!” The boy exclaimed. “He was a shepherd! And he took care of a herd of sheep. They called him shepherd. It wasn’t his name, it was what he did. So, when we pray that the Lord is my shepherd, it’s what He does! He watches over us.”
“Have I told you how smart you are? Of course I have. But now? It’s time for you to crawl under the covers. Then go to sleep. Mom will be along and just a little while. To say goodnight.
“But, daddy, I have so many more questions. What do I call Jesus?? It seems like I have too many to pick from.”
“Son., you can call Him Jesus, or you can call Him Savior. If you would prefer, think of a name that means so much to you. And one that in your mind honors Him and feels like you are talking to the friend, He is.”
“You mean I can choose a name? And, then just talk with him using that name? One that is familiar to me, that I like? One that honors him?”
“That’s right, My son. Now, goodnight. Mom will be along in just a minute.”
“Well, honey. You were up there a long time. What were you two talking about?”
“Do you know that we have? A very smart boy. You would not believe the number of questions he had about what we call Jesus. He’s been listening to the sermons, the Sunday School lessons, and even some of the stories and carols. All the Christmas celebrations we’ve had. And he was asking about all the names and titles we use for Jesus.
“How did you leave that with him?”
“I told him to find a name that was comfortable to him in his prayers and conversations with Jesus. A name that would bring honor to Jesus. And one that he would feel good about. That would help him talk to Jesus in his prayers. I left it up to him.”
Fifteen minutes later, Mary returned, saying. “Michael. I think you may have created… something. I almost said monster, but it’s no monster at all, because it just made my heart nearly burst with pride in our son. After I tucked him in and said good night, I stood outside his door for a minute. And I could hear him talking to Jesus. But he was calling Jesus, Fred. Fred! Michael, our son said, ‘Fred. I want you to bless Mommy and Daddy. And my sister. I love knowing about You. Being a shepherd and all. Being there at the beginning and at the end of everything. I am so glad that I have you for a friend, to talk with and to help me when I don’t know what I should do or say. Fred, thank you for being my friend.’
“That’s what he said. He’s praying to God, in the name of Fred. Michael, in the name of Fred. What are we going to do about that?”
“Nothing.” Michael said with a smile. “Absolutely nothing. His ‘Fred’, is your Jesus and mine. The time will come when he’ll move on, but for now, we have every reason to be proud. We are doing the right thing.”
Thank you, Fred. For What It’s Worth.
-30-
