Of all that has been written about the Name of Jesus, the loveliest composition is the hymn, often attributed to St Bernard of Clairvaux, but probably written by an English Cistercian monk at the turn of the 13th century; and familiar to us in the translation from the original Latin:

“No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
nor can the memory find,
a sweeter sound than Jesu’s Name,
the Saviour of mankind”.

That wonderful hymn, expressing so tenderly the response of a Saint to the love of Christ, may seem far-fetched to this noisy and materialistic age, but those who truly love Our Blessed Lord today will find its echo within their hearts.

That is something than neither the non-Christian nor the nominal Christian can understand, yet how natural it is.  What very different associations and sentiments, for example, does the name of England evoke from those who know not England compared with what it means to those who owe their nurture and their liberty to this their island home!

So likewise the Name of Jesus can be a living and significant reality only to those who know and love Our Saviour Jesus Christ, for the ultimate meaning of their life here and their hope of happiness hereafter, are to be found only in their Divine Lord who bears that Holy Name.

And what consolation and strength has the Name of Jesus brought to suffering and dying Christians through the ages!   From the first martyr St Stephen, who, when he was being stoned to death, called on the Lord saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (NRSV, Acts 7:59) – from him to the latest dying faithful soul, the Holy Name has brought confidence and peace.

That is due, not to any magical properties nor only to the associations which his Name recalls; but rather to the fact that through the very uttering of the Holy Name in heart-felt prayer, one is brought into immediate spiritual union with Jesus himself to whom one’s prayer is addressed.