Here are some ways to celebrate the Holy Name of Jesus with your family.
What is the Feast the Holy Name of Jesus?
The Holy Name of Jesus is a longstanding traditional feast day within the Catholic Church. It has been celebrated since at least the fifteenth century. This feast day is within the Christmas season because it is closely connected with the Feast of the Circumcision. Additionally, the month of January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus.
If you are new here, welcome! I’m a homeschool, homebirth, homemade mom of 5 boys. Check out my about page to meet me and my family.
Before I get to the list, I want to invite you to download my free “kindling liturgical living” calendar page for January. This calendar printable will help you stay on track for feast days all month. The feature image is Jesus, and it will serve as a great reminder to practice devotions to the Holy Name this month.
How Can We Celebrate the Most Holy Name of Jesus?
Here are some ways to celebrate and reflect on the Holy Name of Jesus this January (in no particular order):
1. Attend Mass
Of course I am going to start with the obvious one! Attending Mass or making a Holy Hour (yes, even with kids!) is a wonderful way to venerate the Holy Name of Jesus. Grab my Adoration colouring pages if you need to keep little hands busy.
2. Pray the Our Father
Another easy one! When Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer, He instructed us to hold His name sacred, just as the Jewish people already held sacred the name of God. When you pray the Our Father, pause and reflect as you pray the words “Hallowed be thy name.”
3. Reflect: What does it mean?
The name “Jesus” means, “God saves.” Spend time this month reflecting on how the Child Jesus was born to be and is our Saviour.
What does your name mean? Share in your family about the meaning behind each of your own names. You names are written on God’s heart. Share this scripture with your children.
“Can a woman forget the infant at her breast;
or feel no compassion for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget,
I will never forget you.
16 Behold, I have inscribed your name
on the palms of my hands;
your walls are continually before my eyes.” – Isaiah 49:15-16
4. Bow Your Head at the Name of Jesus
Did you know that, in prior times, it was customary to bow your head when the name of Jesus was uttered? Recently our parish priest has been encouraging the community to do so and it is really wonderful to see.
Consider adopting this pious practice this month and trying to make it a habit. After all, Scripture tells us: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth” (Phil 2:10).
Additionally, at the Ecumenical Council of Lyons it was written “Each should fulfill in himself that which is written for all, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow; whenever that glorious Name is recalled, especially during the sacred Mysteries of the Mass, everyone should bow the knees of his heart, which he can do even by a bow of his head.”
5. Venerate a Christogram
A Christogram is a combination of letters representing the Holy Name. I have a colouring page below to help do this with kids.
IHS
You will have seen the IHS, which is the first three letters of the name of Jesus in Greek. It is often put on churches, tabernacles, banners and so on.
When you see them, you can also think of the Latin abbreviation Iesus Hominum Salvator, which means “Jesus, savior of mankind” and reminds us of what the name of Jesus means to us!
(Explain to your children that mankind refers to all humans, not just males).
Chi Rho
The Chi Rho is another popular Christogram that stands for Christ. It is a symbol that looks like a “P” with an “X” over it. Emperor Constantine received a vision that he should make this symbol and bear it as his standard.
“Now it was made in the following manner. A long spear, overlaid with gold, formed the figure of the cross by means of a transverse bar laid over it. On the top of the whole was fixed a wreath of gold and precious stones; and within this, the symbol of the Saviour’s name, two letters indicating the name of Christ by means of its initial characters, the letter P being intersected by X in its centre: and these letters the emperor was in the habit of wearing on his helmet at a later period. […] The emperor constantly made use of this sign of salvation as a safeguard against every adverse and hostile power, and commanded that others similar to it should be carried at the head of all his armies.” – The Life of St Constantine
6. There is Power in the Name of Jesus
In Acts 3:6 Peter heals in the name of Jesus.
Read this Bible passage with your children:
In the Name of Jesus Christ, Walk! 1 One day, Peter and John were on their way to the temple for the hour of prayer at three o’clock in the afternoon.2 A man who had been crippled from his birth was carried there every day and laid at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could beg for alms from those who entered the temple.
3 When this man saw Peter and John about to enter into the temple, he asked them for alms. 4 Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said to him, “Look at us!” 5 He looked at them attentively, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.”
7 Then Peter grasped him by the right hand and helped him to get up. Immediately, his feet and ankles were strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood straight, and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 When all the people there saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the man who used to sit and beg for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” (NCB)
6. Bless Your House in Jesus’ Name
When we do an Epiphany House Blessing, we chalk the lintel of the door with the Year of Our Lord, the sign of the cross, and also with the initials CMB, which stands for the Latin phrase Christus mansionem benedicat, or “May Christ bless the house.” It also has a double meaning referring to the names of the Three Kings! Read all about how to do your own house blessing here. A little blessed chalk, a little prayer, and tada! Jesus’s initials tagged right above your entrance.
7. Turn off the Blasphemy
Blasphemy means sin against God. Breaking the Second Commandment is all over the television and in the common speech of today. When you can, turn off the shows that casually take the Lord’s Name in vain, and make a small prayer as an Act of reparation if you hear it done in conversation. Even bowing your head as in suggestion #4 would be an amazing way to witness to the power of Jesus’ name.
8. Pray the Golden Arrow Prayer (An Act of Reparation)
This prayer was given to Sister Mary of St. Peter, a Carmelite, in 1843. Sister Mary called it “An Act of Praise that our Lord Himself dictated to me, notwithstanding my unworthiness, for the reparation of Blasphemy against His Holy Name.”
Golden Arrow
May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most incomprehensible and unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen.
9. Sing Praise and Worship: What a Beautiful Name
I absolutely love hearing my kids go around singing worship songs. This one is totally beautiful and reverent. Here are the lyrics.
10. Learn about St Bernardine, Apostle of the Most Holy Name of Jesus
This cool saint carried an IHS banner around with him, saying it was the only weapon he needed! Read all about him here.
11. Pray the Prayer in Honour of the Most Holy and Adorable Name of Jesus
(First explain to children the true meaning of adorable, as in, worthy of adoration).
Prayer in Honour of the Most Holy and Adorable Name of Jesus
Jesus! O Name of Jesus! Sweet Name! Delightful Name! Consoling Name!
For what else is Jesus than Savior! Therefore, O Jesus, for Thy sweet Name’s sake,
be to me a Jesus, and save me. Suffer me not to be eternally lost. O good Jesus!
Let not my iniquities destroy me, whom Thy bounty made. O sweet Jesus!
Recognize in me what is Thine, and efface all that is not Thine.
O sweet Jesus! Show mercy now in the time of mercy, and condemn me
not in the day of justice.
What profit to Thy Precious Blood, or what honor will my destruction
give Thy Holy Name, O Jesus!
“The dead shall not praise Thee, O Lord Jesus! Nor all they that go down to Hell.”
Most amiable Jesus! Most meek, most loving Jesus! O Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
Admit me to the number of Thy elect.
O Jesus, salvation of those who believe in Thee! Comfort of those who fly to Thee!
O Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary! Give me grace, wisdom, charity, purity, and humility,
that I may love Thee perfectly, praise Thee, enjoy Thee, serve Thee,
and be glorified in Thee, with all those who call upon Thy Name,
Thy Holy Name, Thy Sweet name–Jesus. Amen.
12. Sing the Traditional Hymn: At the Name of Jesus Every Knee Shall Bow
I just love teaching my kids traditional hymns! We usually do one each month, or longer if it is in Latin (which makes it a bit more challenging).
Even just learning one or two verses of this hymn would be incredibly worthwhile. It goes:
At the name of Jesus
ev’ry knee shall bow,
ev’ry tongue confess him
King of glory now;
’tis the Father’s pleasure
we should call him Lord,
who from the beginning
was the mighty Word.
Here are all the lyrics (this links you down the page).
13. Pray the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus
The Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus is attributed to St Bernardine of Siena and is prayed as follows:
V. Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, have mercy on us.
V. Lord, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear us.
R. Jesus, graciously hear us.
V. God the Father of Heaven
R. Have mercy on us.
V. God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. God the Holy Spirit,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. Holy Trinity, one God,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. Jesus, Son of the living God, R. Have mercy on us.
Jesus, splendor of the Father, [etc.]
Jesus, brightness of eternal light.
Jesus, King of glory.
Jesus, sun of justice.
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary.
Jesus, most amiable.
Jesus, most admirable.
Jesus, the mighty God.
Jesus, Father of the world to come.
Jesus, angel of great counsel.
Jesus, most powerful.
Jesus, most patient.
Jesus, most obedient.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart.
Jesus, lover of chastity.
Jesus, lover of us.
Jesus, God of peace.
Jesus, author of life.
Jesus, example of virtues.
Jesus, zealous lover of souls.
Jesus, our God.
Jesus, our refuge.
Jesus, father of the poor.
Jesus, treasure of the faithful.
Jesus, good Shepherd.
Jesus, true light.
Jesus, eternal wisdom.
Jesus, infinite goodness.
Jesus, our way and our life.
Jesus, joy of Angels.
Jesus, King of the Patriarchs.
Jesus, Master of the Apostles.
Jesus, teacher of the Evangelists.
Jesus, strength of Martyrs.
Jesus, light of Confessors.
Jesus, purity of Virgins.
Jesus, crown of Saints.
V. Be merciful, R. spare us, O Jesus.
V. Be merciful, R. graciously hear us, O Jesus.
V. From all evil,
R. deliver us, O Jesus.
From all sin, deliver us, O Jesus.
From Your wrath, [etc.]
From the snares of the devil.
From the spirit of fornication.
From everlasting death.
From the neglect of Your inspirations.
By the mystery of Your holy Incarnation.
By Your Nativity.
By Your Infancy.
By Your most divine Life.
By Your labours.
By Your agony and passion.
By Your cross and dereliction.
By Your sufferings.
By Your death and burial.
By Your Resurrection.
By Your Ascension.
By Your institution of the most Holy Eucharist.
By Your joys.
By Your glory.
V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. spare us, O Jesus.
V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. graciously hear us, O Jesus.
V. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. have mercy on us, O Jesus.
V. Jesus, hear us.
R. Jesus, graciously hear us.
Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, You have said, “Ask and you shall receive, seek, and you shall find, knock, and it shall be opened to you.” Grant, we beg of You, to us who ask it, the gift of Your most divine love, that we may ever love You with our whole heart, in word and deed, and never cease praising You.
Give us, O Lord, as much a lasting fear as a lasting love of Your Holy Name, for You, who live and are King for ever and ever, never fail to govern those whom You have solidly established in Your love.
Amen.
14. Pray the Novena to the Holy Name
Here is a resource that has a beautiful novena.
15. Gather in His Name
Jesus promised us, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there with them.” Matthew 18:20. So be assured He is with you when you gather in his name! This makes a great Bible memory verse or copy work assignment for children this month.
16. Pray the Rosary
Another easy one! Jesus is at the center of every single Hail Mary prayer, so Jesus is the center of the Rosary. Point this out to your children as you pray together. Here is my big post on how to pray the rosary with a free printable for kids!
17. IHS Holy Name of Jesus Colouring Page
Download your free IHS Colouring page.
How to Access the Free Printable
- Drop your email in the box below.
- Check your inbox and click through to the PDF.
- Save it to your computer or phone.
- Print it off at home or at your local printer.
- For personal use only, thanks! Email me if you’d like added permissions.
- Watermark free version may be available on my Etsy shop.
18. Give Thanks in His Name!
Most of all, this month, remember to “Give thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” as Scripture instructs us in Ephesians 5:20.
I am thankful for you! Thanks for being here.
Let’s See You Live It!
I would love to see how your family does this. It is so inspiring to others, too. Send me an email or tag me on social media @kindlingwild and I’ll be sure to share!
Lyrics
Lyrics: What a Beautiful Name
Words and Music by Ben Fielding & Brooke Ligertwood
Verse 1
You were the Word at the beginning
One with God the Lord Most High
Your hidden glory in creation
Now revealed in You our Christ
Chorus 1
What a beautiful Name it is
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a beautiful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
Verse 2
You didn’t want heaven without us
So Jesus You brought heaven down
My sin was great Your love was greater
What could separate us now
Chorus 2
What a wonderful Name it is
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a wonderful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
Bridge
Death could not hold You
The veil tore before You
You silence the boast of sin and grave
The heavens are roaring
The praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again
You have no rival
You have no equal
Now and forever God You reign
Yours is the kingdom
Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name above all names
Chorus 3
What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
Tags
What a powerful Name it is The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is The Name of Jesus
Lyrics: At the Name of Jesus
1 At the name of Jesus
ev’ry knee shall bow,
ev’ry tongue confess him
King of glory now;
’tis the Father’s pleasure
we should call him Lord,
who from the beginning
was the mighty Word.
2 At his voice creation
sprang at once to sight,
all the angel faces,
all the hosts of light,
cherubim in heaven,
stars upon their way,
all the heav’nly orders
in their great array.
3 Humbled for a season
to receive a name
from the lips of sinners
unto whom he came,
faithfully he bore it
spotless to the last,
brought it back victorious
when from death he passed;
4 Bore it up triumphant
with its human light,
thro’ all ranks of creatures
to the central height,
to the throne of Godhead,
to the Father’s breast,
filled it with the glory
of that perfect rest.
5 In your hearts enthrone him;
there let him subdue
all that is not holy,
all that is not true;
crown him as your captain
in temptation’s hour;
let his will enfold you
in its light and pow’r.
6 Christians, this Lord Jesus
shall return again
in his Father’s glory,
with his angel train;
for all wreaths of empire
meet upon his brow,
and our hearts confess him
King of glory now.
That’s all!
No time right now? Pin it for later!
If you liked this post, check out some of my recent posts:
What a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing so many great ideas. One thing we have done in the past is to print out in block letter style, decorate and display the name of Jesus in our prayer space.
Blessed be the name of Jesus!
That is such a good idea! Thanks for sharing.