Where did that kid go?

There is a story told of two brothers who were in a word “scallywags”. Both boys were considered to be reprobates and scoundrels and their parents and their teachers were at a loss as to what to do with them, Finally, ,one day they called in the local clergy to the principal’s and it was decided that the clergy was going to scare these to misguided youth straight. They brought the younger boy into the office and invited him to sit in a nice chair. In a loud, menacing voice the clergy asked the boy, “Where is God?”  The child squirmed in his chosen seat but said nothing. So the cleric got closer the boy so that he towered over him and said again in a thunderous, threatening voice, “Where is God?” the boy’s eyes opened wide in obvious fear. He suddenly exploded out of his seat and burst through the door. Grabbing his elder brother by the hand he exclaimed, “We’ve got to get out of here! The adults have lost God and they are trying to pin it on us!”

It was Jesus’ first Passover as a man – he was all of twelve. He was now a son of the law and there were expectations on him now. He had been to the City before but had now been allowed to participate the way that he was now. He was openly listening and questioning and learning from the very people who would later question him and declare him to be a blasphemer. Jesus was an avid student learning and listening and questioning – learning about life from our very human point of view.  But in the process he was missed and left behind by his parents.

Mary had started out with other female relatives to the camping spot where the family would eat and take their rest while Joseph and other male relatives waited for morning prayers at the Temple before setting out. It was not until that night when Joseph found Mary in their tent that they discovered that they did not know that Jesus was missing. They immediately backtracked to the City wondering what had happened to Jesus. Was he hurt or sick? Had someone taken him? Why hadn’t he left the city with them? What had become of him? One cannot help note the similarity of this moment with the one that Mary Magdela had the morning of the resurrection – “Where have you put my Lord? Tell me and I will go get him.” Mary must have had it run through her head – I have had the Lord and Saviour and now I cannot find him – where did that kid go!

Three days the searched lasted. And when they found Jesus he was still listening, still talking and still learning.

His mother brings him up short by asking him, “Did you not realize that your father and I were looking for you” as if to imply that he was unaware of the search and the stress of the loss that had been place on them. Jesus answers in a manner that seems to be – at least me at any rate – more than a bit flippant: “Didn’t you know that I had to be about my Father’s business?” His response makes it clear to the reader that Jesus knew who he was from a very early age. He knew who he was and why he was here and what needed to be done. The discussions that he was participating in, where not only of a theological nature, they were also about everyday problems that the nation faced. The older men around him were amazed at his grasp of the situation as a young man.  Jesus knew that he had a relationship with God that was like no other and yet he was not rude or arrogant about it – he chose to be obedient and follow Mary’s instructions as they started the journey home to Nazareth.

In some sense this is the other half of Christmas. The world thinks that the Holidays are all but over. And that Christmas is so week – last week. It is time to pack up and put away for another year while the Church is just getting started. The media are worried about their top ten and top fifty and top one hundred lists. For most of our North American culture we are only worried about how Christmas helped the economy and whether or not we bought enough stuff. And while the world is packing up and putting their Christmas away and awaiting the dreaded credit card bill, the Church is watching the boy grow and mature both as a man and with God. Christmas is not about buy or getting, it is about giving. And giving implies you know what you are getting and more importantly who you are getting that something for. Giving is not just a moment, it is a process. Gifts are meant to not only be given but also to be used/shared/worn. It takes time to learn how to use some gifts so that it benefits us and those around us.  And we are called and drawn to worship with the rest of creation because we can see our redemption coming in the person of Jesus Christ. It is time to make room under our trees for the gift that is going to count the most when it comes to Christmas – our lives. Giving is more than just the gift it is the connection between the giver and the receiver. God knew we needed Jesus and so Jesus is what God gave to us. And instead of standing back watching and observing and maybe being judgmental about the whole thing we call life, he is actively engaged and participating in the real struggles and troubles we face. This should remind us that we do not choose him, he chose us. And he has loved us with an everlasting love. And if he is in the middle, then where can we expect to see him? By the Christmas tree as well as the cross? On the side of the road as well as in the middle of things, facing life’s struggles and giving them his dignity?

Where will you see Jesus in 2010? Where will you find him and where do you think he will surprise you? We have seen his glory and he has made his dwelling with us… now are we going to go and look for him?