King of England vs King of Kings

On an otherwise uneventful night some time ago a newly married couple takes refuge in a barn.  The young woman probably still in her teens is in labor.  They couldn't find a better place to stay.  The man probably near 30 years old comforts his pregnant wife, both certain of a birth to come but a bit uncertain of the child's future.

Nine months prior the couple who were engaged but not married found out the young woman was pregnant. The woman and her fiance had never been intimate. He stayed with her even with the stigma that accompanied the young woman. 

Okay, you might have guessed the story...it's the birth of Jesus.  The first of those outside the barn to know about the birth were shepherds.  These shepherds could not have been much lower in social status.  They were the least in terms of education, social graces and respect, probably.  They often smelled like the flocks they tended, slept outside and many times would not speak to another human other than when a few of them would congregate for safety and companionship with their flocks.  Safety in numbers from the dangers of the night, perhaps.

Well many heavenly host appeared to these resting shepherds this night.  These rough and tumble men would leave their flocks to check out for themselves the amazing announcement of a very special birth.  Imagine leaving the very flocks you were paid  to watch; you could be jailed, even killed if something happened to the animals.  But these shepherds knew there was more at stake.

Over the past nine months the world has anticipated the birth of a king...3rd in line perhaps but a young king nonetheless.  His mother in her late 20's and his father the Prince are now proud parents of a little boy who one day would be King George. The first to know about this birth other than the parents, scores of doctors and nurses was the Queen of England, then the entire world. This baby is some 30-50 years away from the throne but you can bet we will be able to view each birthday, each vacation, graduation, milestone including the gaffes from now till the boys' days are over.

Let's face it.  This boy will be King of England should he outlive his grandfather and father.  He will be the most famous of all the royals on Earth followed by tabloids, entertainment reporters and royal groupies.  This child as he grows and upon coronation will have about as little to do with running a kingdom as I do. But for some reason even those of us in the States will be fixated on this royal family.

It is perhaps a good time now to remind everyone in the US that our country became separate from England in part to split from the King of England.   It seems weird to celebrate a monarch whose relatives ticked us off so much we kicked his people out of an entire nation.

Well the young royal will grow up with palaces, great vacations and education along with a seemingly endless bucket of money and privilege.  I'm not complaining, I would have liked to have such opportunities and probably would have handled them worse than even Prince Harry.

When we go back to the child born in the barn we find he grew up in the home of a carpenter.  While a nice profession a carpenter was above shepherds but still low in status.  Joe and Mary would not be on the social register.  Let's face it, his mom was a young girl "in trouble" in a time when you could get stoned (rocks not dope) for being pregnant out of wedlock.  His dad almost left the girl, but was persuaded to stay.   Great love there.  Nice work Joey.

This child as he grew up would be obedient to his parents, work with his dad and learned the basics of his faith.  He would not enjoy an endless bucket of money, schools or privilege.  While people were amazed that this child had such a great understanding of his faith, greater than even the teachers, they did not make the connection between this boy and a king.  Even when some would say he was the promised king of the ancient scriptures most poo-pooed this notion, his beliefs and lifestyle.

The child grew into a man.  A man who had no home, no possessions, no job.  He relied totally on his Father-the One who sent his son with a message for a lost world.  The man knew those who He came to save would turn him over to the officials.  He would then willingly accept a death penalty to honor his Father and grant all others who choose to acknowledge Him immunity from that same sentence.

One boy is born and is anointed king.  He is destined for notoriety, wealth, even fame just because of a birthright.  One child is born in poverty and gains some notoriety in life but is as much despised as adored.  One child lives a life of opulence and entitlement, one a sinless life that he willingly gives up for all who would trust in him.

The world looks at the young King George and celebrates.  This king-to-be will appear at state ceremonies, speak to adoring crowds and return to his palace.  He will be honored and revered by most and yes despised by some.  Most look at the royals and wish we  could live such a life.  It looks good from the outside, doesn't it?

The world doesn't give much thought to the child born so many years ago.  The child born to be truly King of Kings and gave his life for all has been forgotten by most, despised by many, adored by some.  Most of us look at Jesus and can't imagine living such a life.  It doesn't look very glamorous from the outside, does it?

You don't need faith to believe in young King George.  He's already been out there for people to see.  You do need faith to believe in Julius Caesar, Napoleon, Alexander the Great and even Jesus.  Jesus' life is as real as any of the others and whose death and resurrection leaves a legacy of forgiveness, compassion and of eternal life.