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A reflection and prayer to start the day with the Revd Dr Craig Gardiner, a tutor at Cardiff Baptist College.

Good morning. On this day in 884, the man purportedly known as Charles the Fat inherited the ancient Empire of the Carolingians. Technically he is known as Charles the Third, the great grandson of the mighty Charlamagne. But history has perhaps unkindly remembered him by focusing upon his expansive girth. Of course, back then, it might’ve have been a compliment, and today we wouldn’t fat-shame anyone. Even so, I bet he wishes the chroniclers named him for his character rather than appearance: Charles the Good, the Brave, the Wise, anything but ‘Fat.’

Names do matter. Descriptors have power people attach to them. If we call a child ‘silly’ or ‘clumsy’ for long enough, they’ll start behaving like it’s true. We often inhabit the names we are given.

And when Mary and Joseph are told to name their boy Jesus, it’s not by chance that it means ‘the one who rescues his people.’ But that’s a huge responsibility to lay upon a baby, especially one who Isaiah the prophet has named: ‘wonderful counsellor, mighty God, Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace.’

Christians down the centuries have testified that Jesus lived up to all these names and more, that he can indeed save us from the worst of ourselves, offer us counsel and bring us peace. Indeed, the church would claim this is not just his legacy, but a present opportunity for us to share in his names as well, to be people of wise counsel, makers of peace and in some way, help rescue one another from the difficulties we face.

I’m not sure by what name we might eventually be remembered, but these ones seem a good place to begin.

God of all wisdom and peace,
Author of every salvation,
Help us be known as people of your name,
And to play our part in delivering this world
from all that ever would harm us.
Amen