What Child Is This?

What is the most famous event in the history of the world? For millions of people, the answer is the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ. The coming of God's human son. Even non-believers have heard the story countless times, and somewhere in the darkest corners of their mind, they too, wonder, what if? What if it happened again? Today? What if God sent another son to the world once again to be raised by good and honorable people, living average lives? Would anyone believe it? And even if they did, how would they react? Would they rejoice, or cower in fear? Would they come to worship the modern-day savior, or would they come, as some did before, to destroy him?

Against the backdrop of modern American culture, this is the story of Isaac, the unexpected son of Melanie Russell, a schoolteacher, and her husband Jack, a gifted physician. Good people, living average lives until the fate of the world is suddenly bestowed upon them in the form of a very special son. But just as it did more than 2000 years ago, this story involves much more than the Holy Child and the incredible task assigned to him by the creator. It also deals with the tremendous burden placed on Isaac's parents, their friends and loved ones, and even the unknown protectors who for different reasons step forward to care for the earthly Son of God. Of course, this is also the story of Isaac, the brave, isolated child who is sent into the lion's den to live, love, learn, and mature, and who is eventually asked to return to his true Father and report on the waning condition of the human spirit. But more than anything, this is the story of simple people, committed and willing to sacrifice everything, in order to love and nurture a not-so-simple child.

Why? Because they believe. Because they were chosen.

Randy Burba is an award-winning writer and editor whose work appeared monthly as part of Kentucky Living Magazine. A retired communications specialist for a large energy company, he received over 45 national awards. An honor graduate of University of Kentucky's School of Journalism, Randy previously worked as a staff writer for The Kentucky Standard, a Landmark Community newspaper located in historic Bardstown, Ky. During his 5 years at The Standard he captured nine awards as presented by members of the Kentucky Press Association, including the top award for writing in 1985. His work includes an article on the Abbey of Gethsemani in Nelson County, Kentucky, the 150-year old monastery which served as home to famous poet and author the late Thomas Merton.