Christmas brings hope to all believers; we always think something good can bring us. It is time to celebrate and meet new people. The family gets together, and everyone has a wonderful time. It is the year’s season where we reach more people and friends.
This environment transforms us into the person we always wanted to be. We were not that person before until this time of the year. We feel a remarkable feeling that we still do not understand. Why do we become what we always wanted to be only at this time of the year?
There is magic in the Christmas season; if we take advantage of it, we can see miracles. The secret is to believe and never doubt. The moment we doubt and seek an answer, the gift vanishes before our eyes, and we see another reality.
I enjoy reading and listening to others recount stories from their youth, which bring back fantastic memories. Today, I will tell you a story I heard about a Spanish monarch who liked to visit the poorest districts of Spain during the Christmas season. I have added an individualized touch that distinguishes me and helps us grasp the message better. It also helps us feel like we are a part of history. Here is the story.
In a distant monarchy, a king visited the city during Christmas. The King liked to see how people adorned their homes with ornaments alluding to Christmas. He loved to see the garlands, candles, and all the decorations in the region’s houses. The King liked to go alone but could not. One night, he invited the prime minister to visit the city. The prime minister wanted to avoid going through the region’s streets because he was not welcome in the homes of low-income people.
King: Prime Minister, I want to visit the streets of my monarchy this Christmas. I love to see how people decorate their homes, and this year, I see the streets more beautiful than usual.
Minister: Your Excellency, I believe you should not visit the streets. There is much violence, and people can attack you.
King: Do not be silly. I am the best King in the whole territory. I like to see how the town looks and want to know what they need. When I find out what they need, I will tell you, and you will provide them with everything they need. Do you remember last year? I told you they needed better street lighting, and you fulfilled my wish. Do you remember?
Minister: Yes, I remember.
King: You did what I told you. Did you?
Minister: Yes, that is how it was, my King.
King: Then, you do not have to say anything else. Tonight, we will see the ornaments of the city.
The prime minister did not look happy because he did not make any improvements in the community; it seemed that the King’s idea did not suit him, but he accepted it and prepared everything to visit the city.
The town looked splendid. The King was pleased with what he saw as he passed through the streets. The people on the road could not recognize him because he disguised himself; no one could recognize him. He walked the streets and enjoyed what he saw. The King tells the prime minister.
King: I am happy with what I have seen. People look delighted this Christmas. Now I want to go out of the city. In the countryside, people enjoy Christmas in a particular way there.
Minister: My King, it is too late, and you must rest. We can see what happens in the countryside another day.
King: But, what do you say? Today is the best day of the year; it is Christmas Eve. I want to see what everyone is doing in my town; this is an essential day for them and me.
Minister: Yes, if you want. Tell me, where do you want to go, your excellence?
King: Well, let me see, I want to go to the same place we visited last year. I wish to see the renovations you have done.
Minister: The renovations?
King: Yes, don’t you remember I told you those people needed better living conditions? I want to see the street lighting, the park, and the square.
Minister: My King, I need to tell you something. I have been swamped with work, but I will keep all these things in mind for next year.
King: I see. You did not do anything I told you. It is okay but remember what I told you. Those things are essential, and I want everything done this coming year; did you get it?
Minister: Yes, my King. Do not worry.
They visited the same area that they had seen the year before. The King noticed that everything looked more deteriorated. The King said.
King: On our way back to the palace, I want to see the most deprived communities in our city.
Minister: As you wish, my King.
They arrived in one part of the city where the environment was different; it was the most impoverished community. There were no lights or ornaments. The King commented to the minister.
King: Do you see what I told you? You must pay more attention to these communities.
Minister: Yes, I will.
Suddenly, they heard music from one house that seemed to be the poorest in the community. The house was so old that they could see what was inside it from the road. They saw a mature adult in a wheelchair, and he seemed to be crying, a bald young woman dancing, and a young man who looked sad playing the drum and singing a traditional song. The King decided to enter the house and knocked on the door; a young man opened the door.
Boy: Good evening. How can I help you?
King: Good evening, young man. We are merchants searching for a place to spend the night.
Boy: You could stay in the city hotel. We do not have space in the house and need more food.
The King looks at the young man. Suddenly, he heard a man inside the house talking.
Man: It is all because of me. I have tried to give my son everything he needed to become a good scribe. Now that he has finished studying, the palace has no job; they last opened positions years ago.
The King entered the house; he wanted to see the person talking and greeted the man.
King: Good evening, good man; what you say is not your fault.
Man: I know, but I am not discussing the scribe’s job. I will talk about what happened to me last night. I dreamed that an angel was talking to me.
King: What did the angel say?
Man: He asked me to buy a silver cup because the King would come to my home tonight to drink from the container.
King: And what happened? Couldn’t you buy the cup?
Man: I had no money. I told my daughter about the dream, and she went to town and sold her hair to buy the cup. She has no hair now; the King has never appeared in my house.
King: Well, don’t worry about the King. What a coincidence; today, we talked to the Prime Minister, who said they would open new scribe positions next week.
The man was so happy about the news. He could not believe what he heard. While the man spoke, the King looked around the house and saw the silver cup.
King: Can you please give me water in the cup you bought? I am thirsty.
Man: Yes, of course. What you told me made my night; it is the best news I have received in many years.
The King drank from the cup and then left. A decree of the King was read the next day in the town square, saying there would be a new scribe position in the palace next week. That was the happiest Christmas for that family.
The following week, the boy went to the audience on that long-awaited day. The room was crowded with people trying to get the position offered. The prime minister entered the room about half an hour later and spoke.
Minister: Please, everybody, pay attention to me because I will only give the instructions once. Prepare your notebooks and pencil to write.
Everyone prepared and paid close attention to the instructions.
Minister: This is the theme of the dissertation: Why do an old man cry, a bald young woman dance, and a boy with a sad face play the drum and sing?
Everyone began murmuring in the room, but nobody wrote anything. The minister said.
Minister: You have an hour to write. When you finish, you can leave your writing dissertation on my desk. Remember to print your name and address. Good luck to everybody.
Little by little, everyone left the room. Only a boy sitting in the corner of the chamber wrote. When the boy finished, the minister entered the room, and the boy approached him.
Boy: I have finished my dissertation, Mr. Minister.
Minister: You can hand it to me. You are the only one who has written something; I will read it now. You can wait outside.
After ten minutes, the minister finished and called to the young man.
Minister: I had never read something so excellent and error-free. Tomorrow, you will start working as the scribe of the King. Congratulations.
The boy thanked him and ran to his home. When he arrived, his family was waiting for him.
Father: What happened, my son?
Boy: They gave me the scribe position. I am pleased because I was the only one who could write about the dissertation topic.
Daughter: But how is it possible that only you could write about it?
Boy: You will not believe it. The theme was: Why does a man cry, a bald young woman dances, and a sad boy plays the drum and sings?
The father remained silent and began to cry.
Boy: But why are you crying, father? You should be happier.
Father: Yes, my son, I am happy and, at the same time, sad; glad because you have the work of a scribe, sorry because I doubted the angel. I did not realize that the King was the one who visited our home and drank from the silver cup. I will never doubt God’s message again.
It is easier to doubt than to believe; that is why very few people see the miracles of the Creator. Are you one of the believers? Or are you one of those who doubt and never receive what you ask? Think about it.
