musings

ONCE UPON A TIME there was a Persian king who loved his people greatly. To know and understand them better, he would mingle with his subjects in various disguises. One day he went as a poor man to the public baths and in a tiny cellar sat beside the fireman who tended the furnace. When it was mealtime the monarch shared his coarse food and talked to his lonely subject as a friend. Again and again he visited and the man grew to love him.

One day the king told him who he was, expecting the man to ask him for a favor or gift. But the fireman sat gazing at his ruler with love and wonder and at last spoke: "You left your palace and your glory to sit with me in this dark place, to eat of my course food, to care whether my heart is glad or sorry. On others you may bestow rich presents, but to me you have given yourself, and it only remains for me to pray that you never withdraw the gift of your friendship."

Does this story remind you of anything? Of course it does! Our Lord Christ, whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas, left the glories of heaven in order to share himself with us. That gift of h
His love and friendship will never be withdrawn from us. He chose to be our friend forever. No wonder we celebrate. No wonder we sing, "Joy to the world, the Lord is come; let earth receive her King."