Songs sometimes say it better than most of us are able. It appears a few years before 1925, Lela B. Long took pencil in hand and wrote words to a song that thrills our hearts even today. There was another who had the same thought but expressed it differently. They had the same central thought. It was, “Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know.” Lela Long wrote her song using the following words, under the title, “Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know.”
“There have been names that I loved to hear – But never has there been a name so dear – To this heart of mine, as the Name divine – The precious, precious Name of Jesus. – Jesus is the sweetest name I know – And he’s just the same as his lovely name – And that’s the reason why I love him so – Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know. – There is no name in earth or Heav’n abov – That we should give such honor and such love – As the blessed name, let us all acclaim – That wondrous, glorious name of Jesus. … And some day I shall see him face to face – To thank and praise him for his wondrous grace – Which he gave to me, when he made me free – The blessed son of God called Jesus – Jesus is the sweetest name I know – And he’s just the same as his lovely name – And that’s the reason why I love him so – Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know.”
Not much is known of Lela B. Long but the words to the song, “Jesus is the sweetest name I know!” This may have been the way she wanted it. What better way to be remembered, than, “Jesus is the sweetest name I know?” If you could choose how you will be remembered after death; just what would it be? Friends, you are now writing the words to your song, the way you will be remembered!
There is another song, written by Bart Millard, with the same thoughts: “Sweetest Name I Know.” The words are: “There’s within my heart a melody – Jesus whispers sweet and low – Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still – In all of life’s ebb and flow – Though sometimes he leads through waters deep -Trials fall across the way – Though sometimes the path seems rough and steep – See his footprints all the way – Jesus, Jesus, Jesus – Sweetest name I know – Fills my every longing – Keeps me singing as I go – Feasting on the riches of his grace – Resting ‘neath the sheltering wing – Always looking on his smiling face – That is why I shout and sing – All my life was wrecked by sin and strife – Discord filled my heart with pain – Jesus swept across these broken strings – And stirred these chords again – Jesus, Jesus, Jesus – Sweetest name I know – Fills my ever longing – Keeps me singing as I go.” I was not able to find information about Bart Millard.
Both of these songs express the thoughts that should be on the minds all those who are celebrating this time of year. As the words thrill the heart and express such beautiful truths! Yet, it never enters the mind of those today, that the followers of Jesus, believing and obeying “the teaching of Christ,” never, no, not one time ever celebrated the birthday of Jesus. No effort was given to the time of Jesus’ birthday, outside the gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, and Luke; and John does not even write of the birth of Jesus. Yet, the modern worshippers of “the day,” Christmas, of which no one even knows; will stand and debate and call you an unbeliever, if you should be so brave to say it has nothing to do with Christianity, “the teaching of Christ!”
These same folks will tell you the New Testament does not teach that the Christian must take of the Lord’s Supper every “first day of the week!” So, what do we have? We have a day, “the first day of the week,” which rests in the authority of Christ and a manmade day, Christmas; to which do most folks adhere to? Better yet, which day to you adhere to: the day which rests in the authority of Christ, or to the man-made day?
Frank R. Williams