Advent: Waiting for LoveSample

DAY 3: The King and the Maiden

Søren Kierkegaard once told a story about a mighty king who fell in love with a humble maiden. The king was powerful and rich beyond measure. He could have commanded her to be his bride, swept her into the palace, and clothed her in gold. But he faced a dilemma: if she loved him because of his power, would it truly be love?

To win her heart, the king made an unthinkable choice. He set aside his crown, removed his royal robes, and disguised himself as a common man. He left his throne and entered her village—not to command her affection, but to court it.

This is the story of Christmas.
It is the story of the Incarnation.

“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a servant and was born as a human being.” (Philippians 2:6–7, NLT)

In the Incarnation, God came to court us, not to conquer us.

He could have arrived in thunder and flame, demanding our allegiance. Instead, He came as a child—vulnerable, approachable, and poor. The Word became flesh and moved into our neighborhood. The King exchanged His crown for a cradle because love cannot be coerced; it must be freely given.

Every other religion in history tells the story of humanity reaching up to find God. Christianity tells the story of God stooping down to find us. The King became like us so that we might learn to love Him for who He is, not merely for what He can do.

And the courtship continues.

Every Advent, we remember that this divine romance is still unfolding. Christ still whispers His invitation: “Come, follow Me.” He still pursues our hearts with humility and grace.

As we wait for His return, may we respond like the maiden—astonished that such a King would come so low to love so deeply.

REFLECTION:
How does it change your view of God to imagine Him as a King who lays aside His crown for love of you? What would it look like for you to love others with that same humility this Advent?