The Love of a King
I love the Christmas story and the carols that we sing. It is a story that never grows old, a story that has new life as God’s children of all ages in churches all over the world tell the Good news of the birth of Jesus, son of God, mighty Lord and King of Kings.
Soren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher and theologian, told a story about another king who was wise and had ruled well. His land was at peace and all were content - except the king.
This King had become a king at an early age. His parents died of a fever that swept through the land when he was a young man. But he was prepared. When he was young, he had been schooled well - and allowed to play with the children in the courtyard as well as the young princes and princesses who visited. His parents had also provided wise counselors to help and guide him in his role as King.
The King had a lively social life. He was quite popular and went to balls and danced with all of the young princesses in the land.Yet… he had not found someone to share his life. Then one day he found himself looking out the window to his courtyard, remembering fondly the days when he was a child and able to run and play freely. And, as he looked out, he saw a young woman. She was beautiful and he was smitten.
He called a trusted counselor and asked: who is this beautiful young woman? He was told, she was only a peasant. The king was heartbroken. Everyone knew - he knew — that kings did not marry peasants.
Seeing his sadness, his counselor urged him to disguise himself and meet the young woman. Maybe she was beautiful but not very wise. Maybe she was already engaged? Maybe you will find out this isn’t love after all.
The king agreed. He disguised himself as a peasant and met the young woman. He did not reveal himself to her. But when he came back to see the counselor, he was even more sad.
The counselor took one look at him and said, “No need to be so sad. After all, you are the King. You are powerful enough. If this is what you really want to do, go ahead and marry her.”
The King nodded silently… because another thought had occurred to him. If he married the peasant girl, he would always be king - but would she ever be able to feel like his equal? She might admire him and respect him. But… could she ever really love him? The gap would be too great. She would always be conscious - and doubtless there would be those who would remind her - that he was royalty and she was a mere peasant.
And then another thought occurred to him: what if… he resigned his kingship and become a peasant? Then he could offer his love to her as one peasant to another. He was very excited about this plan and was about to call his counselor to begin the process.
But then… the king realized that… regardless of how noble this might be, it could backfire. She might reject him - especially if she thought him foolish for doing such a reckless thing as giving up his throne and power and the benefits that go with it. Plus…didn’t all the story books say that peasant girls always dreamed of being a princess?! So she might reject him if he was only a peasant and then he would lose both his throne and the young woman he loved. So what should he do?
What would you tell him to do?
Love. Love is a crazy gift from God. Love grows like a weed without asking permission. Love does not follow the rules or listen to reason. It is not limited - it expands and multiplies each time a child is born, every time a new relationship forms. Love gives and gives and gives and it is in the giving that it is nurtured. So.. what was the king to do?
The King finally decided that he loved the peasant girl so much that he would risk everything. He resigned this kingship and went, as a peasant, to offer his hand in marriage to this young woman - all for the sake of love.
I’d like to say, “And they lived happily ever after.” But Kierkegaard never told how the story ended. Did the young woman accept the love of the king - who was now an ordinary peasant? Or did she call him foolish or crazy and turn her back on him? Kierkegaard doesn’t say. He doesn’t finish the story.
Don’t you hate not knowing the end? But Kierkegaard had his reasons for not finishing this story. It points to the story of another King.
The King of heaven was in his Court looking out over the world. It was a sorry mess. Nations were fighting against other nations, people were pointing out differences rather than their common humanity. Each one was trying to “get ahead”…which meant leaving others behind. There was plenty for all and yet….some people were feasting - while others were starving. The King of heaven looked out over the beautiful world and found it was filled with garbage and pain. And God’s heart broke.
The King of Heaven cried out, “What am I to do with this stiff necked, hard hearted people? I send the snow in winter, the rain in summer and the sun to shine upon them all. I give an abundance of food for them to share. Why are they hungry? I gave them laws to help them live. What else can I do?
The court gathered around. One angel said, “Send me! I’ll smite them with the sword if they don’t shape up.” Another angel said, “No. Send me. I’ll shake the earth until it trembles…They will soon be trembling with fear and awe. ” Still another said, “No send me - I’ll make the wind to blow and sea to churn until they are forced to hold on to one another and the hardness of their hearts is gone. ”
Then God said, “What if I go myself?
Suddenly… the court became silent. Finally, one of them dared to ask: “Why would you ever want to do that?”
God smiled and said, “Because I love them.”
Then the Word of God said, “Send me Father.” And God smiled and said, “Go my Son. Go as a child, a baby. You shall be “God incarnate,” God with flesh on. You shall live and walk; preach and proclaim the Word; heal the sick and sing and dance with my people. And the people will know: God loves them.
And so it was - Jesus was born to Mary on that Christmas night. You have heard the story of the King of Heaven’s great love for us - all of us. May you receive and then share the love of God, the King of the World who laid down his crown to lay in a manger and become our savior. Amen