In earlier days, Christmas was not meant to be what it is today. We have begun thinking about Christmas just after Halloween. Decorations, power-shopping and parties officially begin the day after Thanksgiving. Exhausted and frenzied we celebrate the holiday on December 25^th and then move on, gladly leaving it behind.

Advent was never meant to be filled with Christmas festivities. In the most positive way, it was meant to be a season of spiritual preparation as we anticipated the celebration of the Incarnation, God coming to our earth in human form. Making room for Jesus to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in our lives was the agenda of Advent.

Then Christmas was celebrated for 12 days with all kinds of wonder-filled activities, giving thanks in every way possible for the miracle of that unique breakthrough when Jesus came to our earth as Immanuel, “God with us.” Gifts were given on each of those days to remember and give thanks for God’s great gift of a baby born in a stable.

The celebration of and the foundation for the whole new year were centered in praise and gratitude to God who emptied Himself of the privilege of heaven and took the form of a human. That continued celebration of Christmas lasting into the new year was meant to set the stage for all that would follow.

I must admit that I have never really experienced Advent and the 12 days of Christmas in that glorious fashion. I can only imagine that it would heighten my gratitude for God’s gracious love expressed in the Incarnation of Jesus.

In these 12 days following Christmas as we continue to bask in its warm glow, think about this wonderful story vividly illustrating the wonder of the Incarnation told by the Danish philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard.

It seems that there was a very rich king whose power and wealth were known world-wide. Yet, he had no one alongside of him with whom to share his life. The great palace felt so empty. He was very unhappy, deeply desiring a wife.

One day as he was riding through the streets of a small village, he saw a beautiful peasant girl. She made an indelible impression. He couldn’t get her out of his mind. He would purposefully ride through that same village hoping to just get a glimpse of her. The more he saw her, the more he wanted to take her as his wife.

How would he win her love? At first he thought about drawing up a royal decree that would require her to become his queen. However, he realized that love couldn’t be forced on someone. How would he know if she really loved him?

Next, he decided to dress in his finest royal garb with his most expensive jewelry. But, then he thought he would never know if she married him only for his riches and power.

After much further thought, he decided to dress as a peasant, drive to the town and have his carriage let him off. In disguise, he would approach her house. But somehow he felt this would be dishonest.

Finally, he knew what he had to do. He would shed his royal robes and great power, go to the village, and become one of the peasants. He would work and suffer with them. He would actually become a peasant. He followed the plan and won the love of the young woman. She became his wife and queen.

Kierkegaard told this story to use as a simple illustration of what it meant for God to come to our world in Jesus. While any story falls short of the full meaning of what happened when Jesus was born, it gives us a beautiful glimpse of God’s gracious love.

Dear friends, in these days following Christmas as we move into the unknown of the year to come, celebrate God’s Incarnation. Jesus, the Risen and Reigning Lord, still brings us forgiveness for our past, joy, peace, and meaning in the present, and hope for all of our tomorrows.

Praise and glory be to God!