The Peace Moonbeam Chronicles: No Palace For A King

The great nothingness

The End.

Note to readers: Unfortunately, Peace got hold of some bad fruitcake and will not be checking in this week. Unlike our other stories, the following is most definitely based on real people and events.

Bethlehem

What did I think I'd find? Maybe an ornate throne set in a gleaming palace. Surely, at the very least, a large house with many rooms filled with fine furnishings.

As I traveled, I tried to imagine the trappings of a palace, how large the rooms would be, the fine cloth on the furniture, the weave of the carpets. I could see in my mind the servants lined up ten deep, all waiting to fulfill the slightest need. The air inside would smell like fragrant incense and flowers. As I shivered in the cold, I kept thinking how warm the room was going to feel and how I would thaw my hands next to the cedar logs blazing in the great fireplace. I could almost hear the crackling of the fire and see its patterns dancing on the walls.

In the dead of night, a man whose robes were bright as lightning visited me in the field and invited me to behold a king just arrived, whose presence was marked by a shimmering star hanging from the heavens. I left my flocks and followed this star a great distance to where I stand now.

There is no palace. There are no servants and no fireplace. Just a rundown stable filled with a few animals and several people gazing upon an infant resting in a dirty manger. Royalty resides in a stable? This tiny child will rule the civilizations of the world?

I came seeking a powerful ruler with a palace and riches, but what I discovered wasn't greatness as measured by man.

I found the glory of God among us, and his name is Immanuel.

Manger_2

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:5)

Merry Christmas to all