What happened when Jesus was Born? There was no room in the Inn—-and there was no room for another king. Here’s part of the story we forget. AND—-the part of the story that changes our lives, that changes who we are. For always.

Like this, Lord, this season, may we too lay our lives and our power down to bring life to others. Amen.

(A simple text version here:

No Country for Two Kings

A king is come. There is no bed

in hostel or hearth for a girl

bursting with child. No bed for a birth

and less room for a king, no matter how infant

and Hebrew he is, no matter how long

the signs of his coming. See,

there he lies among dung and black sheep

in a two-mule town:

This is no place for a king.

But Herod hears. When you’re the solo royal

any rumor of a rival is good enough

to make the mad exchange:

1000 babies dying for his crown,

1000 mothers wailing grief

for his relief.

This is no country for two kings.

And when that child grows up crude

with tools and wood, yet dares to rule

over sickness, greed and fear,

he wins a timber throne, is crowned

with thorns and irony--

the signs are clear:

This is how kings are kept,

how man redeems,

Yes, let all the children die for me,

while another, quietly lifts his bleeding head,

Let me die to make my children royalty.

This is no country for two kings.

—————————-Leslie Leyland Fields