A Tradition
Yesterday morning, as we prepared to go visit family for Thanksgiving Day, I introduced the boys to a tradition I grew up with… watching Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on television. I just love those giant floating balloons and the marching bands. They loved Charlie Brown and Thomas the Tank Engine.
The End of the Parade
At the end of every Thanksgiving parade I’ve ever seen is one iconic figure who seems to set the wheels in motion for the coming Christmas season… Santa Claus. Macy’s didn’t let us down yesterday. There was Santa. And with that, we launch toward the Baby born in a manger in Bethlehem a little over 2,000 years ago.
Double-Meaning
I didn’t pay much attention to the guests coming in to talk with the TV hosts of the parade. (Partly because I’m not interested in Victoria’s Secret models, and partly because I’m not interested in Broadway plays or most shows on CBS. But I digress…)
One of the guests, however, did catch my interest. His name is David Oyelowo and he is a star of the recent inspirational movie “Queen of Katwe.” The story revolves around a young African girl who finds she has a gift for chess & inspires her nation.
My attention was piqued when Oyelowo said, “Chess is a metaphor for life. The goal of chess is to get to the king. Along the way, there will be challenges and trials, but you must do whatever you need to do to get to the king.”
Of course, he was merely speaking of chess and life in general. But as I watched a parade that I knew would end in catapulting us toward the celebration of the birth of the King of all kings, something inside of me leapt.
Get To The King!
Indeed, the goal 2,000 years ago was to get to the King…
– Angels departed Heaven & made their way to a field outside Bethlehem to get to King and announce His birth
– Shepherds who heard the good news about the baby born to be King ran to get to the King and confirm the message of the angelic messenger
– Wise men left that night and traveled an incredible distance for approximately two years to get to the King
– The visit of the wise men sparked Herod to try to get to the King for a reason far less noble than worship, but he was determined nonetheless
And that sparked countless thousands to do all they could to get to the King a little over 30 years later. Some came for healing or freedom or advice. But all knew they simply had to get to the King.
In the two millennia which have followed, those thousands have turned into millions and even billions. Everyday, across this planet, people are still doing everything they can… overcoming any challenge or obstacle… to get to the King.
31 Days Of Getting To The King
And as we approach the kick-off of this Christmas season, I intend to put special focus on getting to King. I may get to parades and presents and parties, but I most want to get to the King. I may have fun with family and friends, but I most want to get to the King. I may sing carols, drink hot cocoa and drive around looking at Christmas lights, but I most want to get to the King.
I’d like to encourage you to take David Oyelowo’s advice and “…do whatever you need to do to get to the [King].” Set aside time to worship, read His Word and pray. Make time for special church services. Just get to the King in the midst of the chaos.
And may I be (hopefully) the first to wish you a very merry Christmas!
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