A Christmas Gift for the Princess

A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR THE PRINCESS The Princess was so excited she could hardly stand still. Christmas was only a few weeks away. Ever since she was a little girl she loved Christmas. It was such a happy time with excitement in the air and carols playing. Decorations with colored and white lights, packages with red and green ribbons. The flashing white lights looked like heavenly stars dancing on the houses and in the trees all over the Kingdom. She loved the shopping, decorating and eating the special foods saved for this time of year. Most of all she loved hearing the Christmas story about how the Prince of Peace came as a baby to save the world from a fate worse than death and from death itself. One day she was thinking about what it must have been like to be there at the stable on the day the Prince was born. The King knowing the thoughts of all His children said "Daughter, how would you like a very special Christmas present"? "Oh! Father, you know how I love presents, What is it? Please don't make me wait until Christmas morning. You know how hard it is for me to wait." The King chuckled," Yes I know. No I won't make you wait for this one. How would you like to travel back to the time of my Son's birth and experience what it was like then"? The Princess couldn't contain her excitement. This was great, something she would have never thought of asking for. "Yes, oh yes. When can I go"? "Anytime you want". He said. "Just say the word." Now, now, now" she said, "but wait, I must get ready first. What will I wear, how will I get along, I don't speak the language so how will I be understood?" "Don't worry", He said, "I have taken care of that. You will look and talk just like everyone else. So just close your eyes, take a deep breath, relax and I will do the rest". She closed her eyes and took a deep breath but found it very difficult to relax, she was so excited. In the twinkling of an eye she was there. It was late in the evening and the hustle and bustle of Bethlehem had settled down to a dull roar. She heard a woman say, "I'm sorry but there is no more room here." A man then asked, "What can we do? My wife is due to have her baby and all the inns are full, we must get out of the weather and have a little privacy for the birth is imminent." The woman answered "I'm so very sorry but there just isn't any room, every corner of the inn is filled. Wait, I think perhaps you can stay in the stable, it is smelly because of the animals but we just put in fresh clean straw and it's warm and out of the weather, just don't let anyone know its there and you will have plenty of privacy for the blessed event." The Princess knew right away what was going on. She noticed the young woman on the donkey and realized that this was her Lord's mother. She followed behind them not wanting to lose them in the crowd. When they got to the small cave where the animals were boarded she stayed outside and out of sight, not wanting to intrude. She stood there quietly in awe that she was about to witness one of the most important events in the history of the world. Not long after, she heard the young woman cry out and soon after that she heard a baby's cry. He was born, the tiny baby who would be the savior of the world, her Savior. Silently she thanked the King for this wonderful gift, not only this trip but the gift of His Son. She was trying to decide whether to go in now or wait awhile, when she saw the shepherds who had witnessed the royal birth announcement in the sky come to see Him. Songs and Praises of angels were heard. The star, the brightest and most magnificent she had ever seen hung above. What a birth announcement, truly fit for the Prince of Peace who would become the King of Kings. She knew in time the star would guide the richly dressed wisemen to pay their respects too. She could stand it no longer so she went in. There she was, the young mother, barely in her teens, smiling sleepily, holding her first born son. It was exhausting work having a baby but the mother looked refreshed as if her joy overwhelmed the fatigue she must have felt. The baby sleeping so peacefully looked very fragile, so tiny, too tiny to have a future such as His. The Princess spoke to the mother, "May I hold Him"? His mother smiled and nodded yes. Taking the baby gently in her arms the Princess was overwhelmed with all that was happening. The little Prince stirred and yawned and then snuggled close to her, unconcerned that He was being held by a stranger. Wonderment filled her as she held Him, here in her arms was the one who would save the world from their sins. She brought all her senses into play, she didn't want to miss one single moment of this tremendous experience. She held Him close to her cheek and felt His silky baby fuzz against her face, kissing His forehead she breathed in the sweetness of his baby skin. He awoke and looked intently into her eyes and she listened to His soft baby coos and wondered if He was trying to tell her He loved her. Knowing what was to come for Him she was unlike those now around her. They were caught up in viewing this miracle child, the one they now called "king". They didn't know what it would cost Him to be their king. His path would be far from easy or royal. As a child He would endure rumors about His parentage and be teased for being "different". That was not all he would have to endure, after all the Prince of Darkness knew that this babe would be his downfall. It would be this evil beings sole purpose to stop the baby's mission. As the Princess stood holding this precious bundle, the joy of the moment could not stop tears from rolling down her cheeks. The young mother noticing this looked a little puzzled and concerned. So the Princess not wanting to cause the mother distress, handed the baby back and simply said, "He is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen, you are truly the most blessed woman who ever lived". The mother looking a little relieved said, "Thank You and the Lord bless you too". In the breath of a moment the Princess was standing before the King again. He smiled knowingly and asked, "How was your trip?" The Princess full of gratitude said, "Oh Father, Thank you, thank you, thank you, I shall never forget the joy of holding your Son. This present is only second to the gift of life you gave me so many years ago. The King just said to tell others of the gift of life made possible by the gift of His Son. Moral: There is only one gift that keeps on giving and His name is Jesus. Accept Him and live forever. Linda Knox Rubenack ©1993