Soren Kierkegaard once wrote a parable about a prince who wanted to find a bride. One day while the prince was traveling through a local village, his eyes fell upon a beautiful peasant girl. He wanted desperately to meet her and possibly marry her, but he didn’t know how to go about it. He could try to overwhelm her with his majesty or even order her to marry him. But that wasn’t the kind of relationship he desired. Finally, he decided that he would give up his kingly robe, move into the village, put on the clothes of a peasant, and live among the people. In time, the girl grew to love him, because of who he was and because he loved her first.
God seeks after a love relationship with each of us. That is why the Word became flesh and dwelt among us! So, how do we respond to such great love? In the words of the poet Christina Rossetti: “What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would give him a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part. But what can I give him? I’ll give him my heart!”