Sarcasm, Sixth Graders, and Scripture: Lessons from a Christmas Shirt

Lately, I have realized that I enjoy words. I enjoy a good pun, a good riddle, and even just playing around with different words to decipher meanings and connections. Many of my students in youth ministry (and now in substitute teaching as well) roll their eyes and take a deep breath when I get going.

SIDEBAR: One of my favorites is “when was the first time medicine was mentioned in the Bible?” You’ll have to read all the way to the end to find out.

This week our local middle school is having “Holiday Spirit Week” and today students were allowed to wear their favorite holiday gear. So, while substitute teaching in a sixth grade English class today, I was on another roll when I noticed the writing on one girl’s Christmas shirt.

It said, “My presence is your present.”

I love it. My “presence” - not presents - is your present. In other words, the fact that I am here is my gift to you.

It is sarcastic, snarky, possibly even rude. But is also personal, direct, and relational.

It is also incarnational. It is Biblical.

In Matthew 1:23, we find the summary of the angel’s words to Joseph, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).”

This passage is a familiar Christmas verse outlining the instructions Joseph received about the baby Mary carried. I can only imagine what any man would think as the woman he was supposed to be marrying showed up pregnant!

Here an angel of the Lord arrived to encourage Joseph and explain what was happening (at least some of it). This exact verse is quoting Isaiah 7:14.

This baby was conceived of the Holy Spirit. He was the Messiah. He would grow up only to die on the cross. But He did not stay buried in the tomb. He arose. He lives. He is victorious!

Joseph did not know ALL of that, but he was told that the baby would be given the name Immanuel which means “God with us.”

God with us.

His presence with us is His gift.

While the girl was wearing her Christmas shirt for fun and probably to get a laugh, Jesus wore it also. His presence in our world demonstrates His great love and care for us. His presence is His present to us. What a great reminder this Christmas season.

Maybe this Christmas, you are lonely and need to be reminded that His presence is all around you.

Maybe this Christmas, you are surrounded by people but misunderstood, mistreated, or ignored. His presence is all around you. His presence is your present!

Maybe this Christmas, you just need to be reminded He cares. He loves you.

If you ever doubt that, and it is easy to do at times, just look to His Word. It will guide you, remind you, direct you to the truth of His role and His care.

When you are unwrapping packages and gifts this Christmas, you can remember God’s great gift to us by thinking of this little sixth grade girl’s shirt telling us that “My presence is your present.”

Anyway, I was just thinking…

P.S. The first time medicine was mentioned in the Bible was when God gave Moses TWO TABLETS!