A Tale of Two Kings
The family gathered in the living room for their Christmas Eve together. A fire burned hot nearby keeping them warm from the cold night air. There were three children in all. The youngest, a bright-eyed young boy with dark hair sat in the center of the group on the lap of his grandfather. "It’s time for a story," said the grandfather. Everyone sat around the room on chairs or on the floor near the fire and fell silent. They all looked up at the grandfather’s face as his eyes seemed to fill with passion and knowledge just before the words began to flow outward. The young boy pressed himself close to his grandfather’s chest as the man spoke feeling the vibrations of the words. "There once was a mighty king who cared very much for his people, but was unable to be among them, or get to know them. To do this, he would have to come down from his throne to walk among them. ‘How can I know what my people truly think and feel if I cannot talk to them as king?’ he asked himself." "The answer, the king felt was simple. He would go to the people dressed in common clothes and walk among them. "Disclosing his plan only to his closest advisor, the king told everyone he was retiring to bed early that night. In truth, he changed his clothing, walked through the great gate of his own castle dressed as a tradesman and out into the early evening air. "The king walked among the people in the town below and listened intently as they talked to each other. It seemed everyone had their own unique problems. Then he spotted a stoker walking sullenly along the street. His skin was wet with perspiration and black from shoveling coal all day into an iron forge. He walked quietly and alone toward a boarding house. As he arrived at the basement door, the king, whose clothes he dusted himself with fresh dirt to help make him look more common, caught up to the stoker. "‘It has been some time since I have rested. May I sit and talk with you for a short time while I rest my sore feet?’ "The stoker looked the king over for a brief moment and replied with a slight smile, ‘Of course.’ "The king was surprised by the man’s willingness to open his door to a complete stranger. Nevertheless, he entered the man’s home in the basement of the boarding house and sat at the stoker’s table. "The stoker seemed to look more alive in the presence of his guest, and he prepared a small supper of bread and broth and shared it with the king. "The two men talked for a long while. Then the king left but not before promising his new friend he would return to talk some more. "The king’s advisor was waiting for him when he returned to the castle, and he served as an escort past the guards on the twin towers above. "The king dictated his experiences to the advisor, who diligently wrote down every word. ‘These things I have learned I will use to help my people,’ said the king. "For the next several evenings, the king went on the same journey all the while, walking and listening to his people. And each evening, he ended up at the door of the delighted stoker, who invited his friend in for another chat. "One evening, the stoker was again preparing a meal. He said to the king, ‘I have a surprise for us, my friend.’ And the stoker pulled a potato from his coat pocket, sliced it in half and handed the first half to the king. "The king, already feeling guilty for every morsel he had taken out of the stoker’s mouth and for deceiving such a good friend, placed his hand on the shoulder of the stoker and said, ‘No, my friend. I cannot deceive you any longer nor take food from you. It is I who should be feeding you.’ The king removed the hood of his outer garment to reveal his true identity. "The stoker, surprised at the presence of the king, dropped to one knee and bowed his head. The king grasped the man’s arm and helped him stand to his feet. "‘You gave to me despite your own circumstances when it was in my power to give to you,’ said the king. ‘Tell me what it is you wish, and I will give it to you.’ "The stoker looked at his friend and smiled. ‘You left your castle and your honor to sit here with me in the dark cellar, eat my simple food and share my grief and happiness. To others you may give expensive gifts, but to me, you have given of yourself. I pray that you will never take your friendship away from me.’" With those words, the grandfather looked about at his family’s look of puzzlement. "Grandfather," said the little boy. "That’s a nice story, but what does it have to do with Christmas?" he asked. "I’m glad you asked that," said the grandfather. "Like the king, people thought of God as a great ruler, but they never recognized Him and did not believe in his unconditional love. Therefore, like the king, God put on a simple garment to come to us. But God revealed himself in the form of a baby named Jesus—born in a manger in Bethlehem this very night. He revealed Himself to the world as a perfect human who walked among us and taught us about love. He came to heal the sick and give rest to the weary. He did not have to inquire about our ills and sadness—He already knew. Then He suffered and died to take away our sins. In doing this, He gave us love that will never be taken away." "Did the king stay friends with the man?" the boy asked. The grandfather looked lovingly into the inquisitive eyes. "The King of Kings is always there for us." The End
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