Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Christmas Gifts (11/13/08)
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TITLE: The King's Greatest Gift | Previous Challenge Entry
By Tammy Bovee
11/20/08 -
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He winged over to the King as his highness stepped down to walk through his courts. Gabby loved to watch the king as he walked, his royal robes flowing behind, polishing the gold floor so it exploded with sparkles.
Down the regal halls the king strode, Gabby following at a good distance so he could watch. As the King rounded the next corner and entered the hall of music, his servants sang so sweetly Gabby wanted to laugh and cry all at once. He wiped his tears, giggling and smiling with the king. There were all kinds of instruments in the hall… and all kinds of singers… and even though they were playing and singing different songs, it didn’t clash but blended; he heard each word. That they were practicing for some great future event was obvious.
The king smiled and laughed with the musicians, and even sang with them but soon he began to walk on. Where could he be going today? Gabby wondered as he fluttered his wings through the air watching again in awe as his majesty’s robes swept across the floor.
They rounded another bend, descended some stairs and arrived at a place Gabby had seen but once before. The king looked out, peering through time and space.
Gabby watched as the King’s face changed from glowing delight to that of deep longing. Gabby knew the king well, knew how to read his face, from the faintest wrinkle of concern in his brow, to that sparkle in his eye that always meant a good joke was coming. But this time as he looked at his king’s face he saw a strange mix of longing, love, and compassion there. And, as the king turned and looked at Gabby, from that look of expectation in the king’s eyes Gabby knew he was being commissioned.
From highest heaven the angel flew down to Nazareth, a town in Galilee to make the announcements to those chosen to help usher in the king’s gift. As Gabby looked into Mary’s bewildered face, he marveled at how young she looked “How will this be?” (Luke 1:34, NIV). She took the words right out of Gabby’s mouth, but it was not his to question the king. Gabby did his best explaining, and after he was done, he knew Mary would do just fine. Joseph was another challenge altogether, but eventually he too was brought to understand.
As Gabby waited and watched, he knew better than to question the king, but a stable… the gift was to come to the world in a common dirty stable… but yet there was Mary and Joseph… the same Mary and Joseph he was sent to… The star was a nice touch, but a stable… and what was Mary doing laying the gift in a manger?
Slowly Gabby understood though, as he thought about the king’s humble gentle heart. A royal palace would intimidate some, keeping them away… yes… a manger… yes the sheep and donkeys… and cows.
Gabby led the crowd of angels as they flew to the fields where the shepherds lay that night, quietly watching their sheep under the starlit sky. He gaped excitedly as the rugged shepherds sat startled and afraid at the sound of his voice and then the angelic choir; why was everyone so afraid of angels? Gabby mused as the shepherd’s fear turned to joy. Leaving quickly, they ran to the stable.
Arriving, at the stable, Gabby looked through the door. Gently winging his way in until he was over the manger, he caught his breath as he gazed upon the king’s great gift, so tiny and helpless. Would the world realize the vast riches the king lavished on them? Would they understand how much this cost the king? Why would the king take such a risk? Gabby looked again at the gift and thought back to that look on the king’s face. It was love, yes… love.
“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV)
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