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Good morning.

Way back in history, Israel asked for a king. They wanted to be just like all the other nations. The story is told in the Old Testament, and you can almost see God rolling his eyes, knowing that it’s really the last thing the nation needs.  He’d seen a good few power-hungry, war-mongering political figures in his time..  Yet God gave them what they wanted. And just like so many other nations we could name today, the ancient Israelites discovered over the course of many generations that a ruler who is grasping for power is not a ruler who makes for peace.

But God did not abandon them to that ill-fated choice. God has a way of turning problems into opportunities. On the first Christmas Day he gave them another king. A very different kind of king. Not so many people recognised this one at first. No great warrior – just a tiny babe.  Not grand in wealth or strength or looks – but weak and vulnerable. Utterly dependent on the people he came to serve, starting with the poorest, the outcasts.

I wonder what would this kind of leader – one who is vulnerable, transparent, trusting, humble – what would this mean for some of those nations of our world who long for a new ‘king’ this Christmas.

Peace-loving God, you came to us in trust and vulnerability. We pray for those nations of the world in turmoil and we cry to you for leadership that is transparent and humble. Rein in the hunger for power, that there may be born the possibility of peace. And for us all: take our problems, and turn them into opportunities; for the sake of your kingdom. Amen.