Hello By My Side friends.
I am happy to be writing my December post to you today. As we celebrate Advent, awaiting the coming of our Lord on Christmas Day, I want to share some thoughts on kings and kingdoms that I found in my research this past month by Fr. John Orban.
Alexander the Great was born a prince to the throne of a rising empire at a time when kings ruled supreme—when kingdoms were conquered on battlefields with spears and swords. He became King at the age of 20 in 336 BC and was talented in the arts, philosophy, and warfare. He prepared his subjects for battle, he moved an army, and he set out to conquer the world. Within a short period of time, he conquered the Persian and Egyptian empires, expanding his reign into India and past Arabia. He then died suddenly at the age of 32, leaving no succession plan or heirs. His empire eventually returned to smaller kingdoms, and the trail he blazed toward world domination would be followed again and again.
This is the fate of earthly kingdoms. They rise to power as great empires, then fade away with their rulers’ deaths. With every battle won, lives are lost, families are torn apart, and disease, poverty, and injury are paramount. These kings and kingdoms have evolved to become nations and leaders. We claim to be civilised and advanced in this day and age—but are we? How much further will we go? The quest for power and control persists as we attempt to conquer and control people with higher costs, economic uncertainty, and continuous countries at war.
This Advent, we celebrate the coming of a different kind of King—the anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ. He is not just the King of humanity or the King of the world; He is the King of the Universe. The King of every person, planet, and thing. He has no need to conquer anything, because His Kingdom has never been conquered. He is King like nobody else. How do we know He still reigns? How do we know He is still with us?
He came to show us victory over sin and death. His victory over sin shows us the way to free ourselves from its grip over us. His victory over death shows us the way to an eternal life of peace. He came in human flesh, He lived here on earth, and we expected Him to rule as human kings rule. But instead, He left the world in what seemed like defeat, so that He might continue to rule in victory forever—over our hearts.
This is the Kingdom that Jesus reigns in. It may seem hidden when we can’t see Him in person, but when we begin to live as people in His Kingdom, it all becomes real. It is through the Holy Spirit that our bodies have an eternal purpose: to live beyond this mortal world in Jesus’ heavenly Kingdom. It’s a place where we are all equal, where we all belong; it’s a place that is pure and life-giving, filled with love for each and every one of us. This is all because of Jesus’ mortal life that He sacrificed to secure our divine immortality.
When Jesus rules in our hearts, as we live out our faith more fully, that’s when we begin to see His Kingdom more clearly. When His will is finally done in our lives, His Kingdom comes and all enemies are scattered. Then we are able to enter the paradise He promises.
May this Kingdom come for you this Christmas with the birth of our greatest King, Jesus Christ.
Blessings and Merry Christmas to you all.
Love, MJ xo
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