The Festival had come and gone and for the most part, it was a merry time. The Council’s stimulus program went off without a hitch and none were the wiser that they had acted on their own accord while the king remained missing. They gave away food, cut taxes, deferred loan payments and even offered health care to the sick, all in an effort to boost the economy. During the Festival, there were parties galore, celebrating continued throughout the night and well into the follow days. Gifts and more gifts moved from stores and into homes. It seemed like anybody who was anybody gave gifts; it became trendy and posh, and no one wanted to be that person who didn’t give gifts. Yes, life went on and the folks were once again busy and happy. People went to work cheerfully, for at days end, they knew they could go home to their gifts. Yes, sir, Arrogance’s man was right; these people surely were predictable when their bellies were full!

But not all was bliss. The Council was ordered together and the tension in the air could be cut with a knife. They waited for Arrogance’s man; he had ordered the meeting and he had warned them that the news was not good. And so, when he finally entered the room, there was no reason to call the meeting to order, for each member found his seat quickly and quietly. They looked at him intently and uncomfortably; it seemed that for the first time he was at a loss for words. His lifted his ashen face with an air of confidence but could not hide his fearful, fallen eyes; they spoke volumes, even before he opened his mouth. “Brothers, I have terrible news,” he began. “As I was going through the king’s books and business records, I discovered that his treasury is completely depleted! There is no money!”

“What?” cried one of the senior members! “Are you telling us that there is no money left in the treasury at all? No money to pay for this stimulus program?”
“That is exactly what I am saying!” he shouted back.

“We are ruined! The kingdom cannot stand, it is sure to collapse,” moaned another. “It will only be a matter of time.”

“What have we done?” lamented another. “We, by our own making, have brought the kingdom to utter ruin, and now we have no king to lead us. The townsfolk will have our heads for lying to them. We are all doomed!” The sullen Council dispersed to break the news to their families and to await that fateful day when the awful truth would be revealed. They all knew deep in their hearts that the collapse was imminent and it seemed that the king would never be found.

He slipped into town under the cover of darkness. No one was really sure when he arrived or where he had come from. He appeared to be poor, yet it was apparent that he had unlimited treasures. His generosity paled only against his kindness and wisdom. Who was this man among them? He seldom spoke but when he did, his words continued to echo in the hearts of all who heard him. He taught them how to live together in peace and harmony and to care for the widows and orphans. It was rumored that he could heal the sick. Once, he walked up to the home of a poor family and knocked gently on the door. The family was preparing their evening meal as the father opened the door to the stranger. “Can I help you?”

The stranger smiled as though he needed no help, yet asked, “May I come in and sup with you?” The father looked back to his family at the table, the portions were barely enough for themselves. He looked again to the stranger and back again to his family. Once more he looked at his visitor – a stranger in need? “Yes! Yes you may. Come in and warm yourself by the fire and eat from our table. Stay with us for as long as you like.” The man’s wife gave the stranger a meager plate of food and he thanked her kindly. The family ate at the table, while the stranger ate by the fire. He watched them carefully. He loved them dearly. He would care for them wholeheartedly. The father once more looked at the stranger, their eyes met as he contemplated this man who now sat in his home, “I have a feeling this man will bring more to this home than I could ever offer him. Somehow, he has given me hope and this wonderful feeling whispers that things will never be the same.”

With both hands around his warm cup of drink and his eyes fixed on the father, the stranger smiled assuredly at him and nodded in agreement. Just then, the poor man’s heart exploded with joy as he realized he was in the presence of purest royalty!

In the midst of generations, in the fullness of time
In the shadow of vales, Deity disrobed
Revealing love and goodness and mercy sublime.
In the midst of two, even in the midst of three
Amongst the poor in spirit, Deity disrobed
Teaching wisdom and truth and setting the captive free.
O Silent night, O Holy night
This night our hearts are renewed
For Deity hath chosen to disrobe
And hath chosen to dwell with you.

From the highest of heights to the corners of the earth
From the Throne of Heaven, Deity disrobed.
Bringing all His treasure, beginning with new birth.
Heavens declare and the angels sing the chorus
Who hath believed the report? Deity disrobed
Rejoice! In swaddling clothes, He is seen by us.
O Silent night, O Holy night
This night our hearts are renewed
For Deity hath chosen to disrobe
And hath chosen to dwell with you.

Now the eye has hope and the heart may understand,
Faith reasons with the mind, Deity disrobed
Now the grave has no victory, for Deity became a man.
Now the poor are rich and the weak are made strong,
The last shall be first, because Deity disrobed
The lost are found and the outcast belong.
O Silent night, O Holy night
This night our hearts are renewed
For Deity hath chosen to disrobe
And hath chosen to dwell with you.