What is missing this Christmas?

Is it you?

A couple of mischievous boys were constantly in trouble. You name it; they did it. At their wits end, the parents sent them to a local preacher who had a reputation for successfully straightening out hell-raising kids. The minister agreed to speak with the boys individually. The younger one went first. “Where is God?” The boy made no response. So, the preacher raised his fire-and-brimstone voice, “WHERE IS GOD?' At that, the boy bolted for the door, ran home, and hid in the closet. His older brother followed him and asked what had happened. The younger brother replied, “We're in BIG trouble this time. God is missing and they think we did it.” 

You laugh, but the notion that God is missing is a prevalent question considering today’s dark headlines in the shadow of Christmas: A mass shooting driven by antisemitism killed 15 people at Australia's famed Bondi Beach; A mass shooting at Brown University killed one student and a MIT professor; Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were killed by their Son. The “Where is God” question prevailed in the time of Isaiah and Matthew when darkness dampened the light of peace, hope and joy. But the headlines of the Prophet Isaiah and Gospel writer Matthew shed some good news and light—Isaiah 7:15 and Matthew 9:6—that a special child is coming to make peace possible.  We will see in Isaiah 7:15, from this one verse and four names that peace is possible because God is not missing. Through a child—Immanuel—God is with us. The question is: Are you with him?  

^{Isaiah 7:14} Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.  ^9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.   Isaiah 7:14, 9:6 

First, God is with us because of the One named “Wonderful Counselor”—Pele Ya’at— an extraordinary strategist (6a). His extraordinary strategy is unconventional: to give you the mind of Christ, to put others interest before yourself according to Phil. 2:4,5. Obey the Extraordinary Strategist.  

Second, God is with us because of the One named “Mighty God”—El Gabor—because He is a powerful force of love and forgiveness (6b).  Isaiah’s forecast to address dark times is this: The power of love and the force of forgiveness is within us (Eph. 3:20).  It was a Muslim man’s bravery that saved the lives of many Jews during last week’s Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney. Ahmed Al Ahmed sent a powerful message to the world: choose humanity over hate. 

Third, God is with us because of the One named “Eternal Father”— Abi-ad—a present protector (6c). Isaiah’s forecast to address Israel’s dark times is  this: The One who gives protection like an ever-present father is for us. Be present for those who need protection. God is with us when you do.  

Finally, God is with us—through us—because of the One named “Prince of Peace who is coming to bring a whole peace (6d), a welfare of the whole person: body, wind, and soul.

ILLUSTRATION: As in the day of Isaiah and Matthew, you can look at children to show us what Christmas needs. Second-grader Nick showed me at the school where I substitute teach.  

“It was the week before Christmas, on the last day of school, a party for each class was on the schedule. On the agenda were cookies, gifts, and fun. But for Nick, what made today’s party special was that his mom could come. We sat in the back with bated breath for what was in store, his momma's grand entrance through the door. Every mee-maw and pee-paws made their way in with hugs and kisses, and holiday wishes. They opened gifts; they all had a bag, but unlike the rest, Nick waited for his special guest. He insisted I eat; I insisted on the same. But our minds were on other things than chocolate kisses and reindeer games. 

 As the clock's hands marked an hour's bell, parents and classmates bid the teacher farewell. Nick and I walked back to his special-ed class; he said not a word. When he opened one gift—a sponge basketball—I half-heard: 

“Merry Christmas. It was a good party. Sorry, you missed my mom.  

Sometimes she is tardy. Sometimes she is tardy.” 

APPLICATION: What is missing this Christmas? The best present is being present. Thank you, Nick. Thank you, Immanuel, for reminding us.  Through a child, God is with us. The question is: Are you with Him?  Are you with your brother under the fire of hate?  Are you with a child under loved?