Royal Watching

I admit to being a royal watcher. It may be partly due to my Canadian heritage (Canadians remain loyal to the Crown) or just that little girl princess dream.  I love the royal wedding spectacles, the births and christenings, the outfits (but the hats?), and maybe someday, we’ll have a coronation!

Royalty is significant. For most royals, there is excessive wealth complete with lavish lifestyles, palaces and estates, and priceless jewels.  There is royal protocol with unique privileges.  There is popularity, or banishment.  We use expressions like “royal treatment” and “fit for a queen.”

Queen Elizabeth’s annual Christmas address will be aired at 3 pm on Christmas Day in the United Kingdom. The royal family traditionally spends Christmas at their country estate, Sandringham House.  They attend Christmas Day worship services at St. Mary Magdalene, a nearby church dating back to the 1600’s. The Brits await these two events to mark the start of their own celebrations.

It is the Eve of a royal birth! Jesus was and is a royal.  His birth was announced centuries before his arrival. An angel chorus and a brilliant star broadcast his birth.  Locals and royalty paid tribute to him as a newborn and in the months following.  His version of a christening led the temple staff to break out in holy salutations and consecrated blessings.  Jesus is here and we should be thrilled and amazed.

I’ve been pondering royal preparation. Royal events are spectacles, full of pomp and glory.  No detail is left undone and protocol reigns.  This is also true for American presidents and the White House.  The Bible says a lot about preparing for King Jesus.  The prophet Isaiah wrote of the coming Prince of Peace and preparing the way for Him.  That preparation referred to road improvements that preceded the passing of a royal entourage.  The Old Testament also foretold of a messenger that would herald the King’s arrival.  Jesus confirmed that John the Baptist was that herald, preparing the crowds for Himself.

So how prepared am I for the coming royal? Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation.  I’ve prepared many things lately but most of it, honestly, has been the trappings of Christmas.  It’s time to “prepare Him room in my heart,” as the carol goes.  At Christmas, I want to be star-gazed for a glimpse of the King:  the world’s greatest royal who gave away all His privilege for my sake, and yours.

Footnote: These Scriptures were referred to:  Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 40:3-4; Malachi 3:1; Luke 2; Matthew 11:10 and Luke 7:27.

Author: Brenda Proulx

Wife, mother and grandmother, educator and someone who thinks about the things I observe. I am the daughter of a writer; my dad's career was in the field of journalism. More significantly, I am God's child, a person believing in Jesus Christ and in His timeless Word. Blogging is new to me but I feel like I've always had a pen in my hand. I jot notes in my planner, mark papers, underline verses, write many letters, and occasionally draft articles for work or church. When I am not holding a pen, I am probably cuddling a mug of coffee. View all posts by Brenda Proulx