"Christmas is just around the corner." You've heard it on radio and television ads or read it in catalogs and request letters. You probably haven't heard it in public schools, universities, or even some churches.
Like a thick London fog or powerful Asian tsunamis, the โChristmas seasonโ sweeps the world in a torrent of decorations, inflated snowmen, church attendance and Visa transactions. Yes, Christmas is just around the corner. But one question remains: "Where is the birthday boy?"
Whether we believe in the Bible or not, we all know that the โtrue meaning of Christmasโ is celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Christ of Christmas. It's probably the strangest birthday party of all, if only for the reason that birthday parties always include the guest of honor, who is the center of the preparations and celebration.
This again begs the question: โWhere is Jesus?โ The life of Jesus Christ is an indisputable fact of history. โChrist died for our sins according to the Scripturesโฆhe was buriedโฆhe was raised on the third day according to the Scripturesโ (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
If there is a party and the guest of honor is nowhere to be found, one would expect the guests to ask, "Where's the birthday boy (or girl)?" So, at Christmas, where is Jesus?
As always, the Bible gives us the answer. In fact, it gives us several answers. Jesus has not disappeared: he is very busy. โ[Jesus] He has ascended into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities and powers subject to himโ (1 Peter 3:22). Not only did Christ, by his sacrifice, earn the highest place of authority, โbut Christ, having offered for ever one sacrifice for sins, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies were done away with.โ a footstool for his feetโ (Hebrews 10:12-13).
You see, the time is approaching when Jesus Christ will return, โAnd he commanded us to preach to the people and testify that he is appointed by God to judge the living and the deadโ (Acts 10:42). . That doesn't sound like much of a party, but it depends on your acceptance or rejection of Jesus and his work.
But โin the last days scoffers will come with mockery, following their own sinful desires. They will say: 'Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it did from the beginning of creation'โ (2 Peter 3:3-4). I remember the story of a mafia boss who had his driver take him to an early morning meeting. He told the driver to wait for him. It was already night when the boss returned and he was glad to find the driver faithfully waiting for him. I'm sure the driver was also happy to be found faithful.
Why does Jesus delay? โThe Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise, as some count slowness, but he is patient with you, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentanceโ (2 Peter 3:9).
Jesus has not disappeared; We know his whereabouts. And it's not that he doesn't want to be at the party: he has something better planned for his disciples. โHis master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful for a little; I will take care of you a lot. Enter into the joy of your lord'โ (Matthew 25:23).
There is a holiday planned for believers that will make Christmas pale in comparison. โBlessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lambโ (Revelation 19:9).
The time is coming when no one will say, โWhere is Jesus?โ โFor as the lightning comes from the east and shines to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man beโ (Matthew 24:27).
Jesus is around the corner.
Alan Allegra of Bethlehem is a freelance devotional writer. alan.allegra@gmail.com.
