My husband and I recently concocted a plan to bring our children, including our two-year-old daughter Cecilia, to Disney World over the Thanksgiving holidays. The plan was that my husband would drive our three older children down a day early, and I would fly in with our devilish little one early Saturday morning to meet them at the Magic Kingdom.
Aware as I was that I was the parent given the more civilized scene in what was sure to be a comedy-of-errors road trip, the idea of waking up at 4 a.m. and boarding a plane with one cranky Cecilia (who I sometimes fear on a good day) was daunting. Sure, the morning started off easily enough. Completely unlearned in Disney and unsure as to why she had been awoken to be put into a car with wings, Cecilia waited patiently at first. It wasn’t until we landed in Orlando’s airport that her patience lost way to skepticism and she attempted a plethora of escapes and played limp in my hands, indicating that an afternoon of heart-felt “No’s” were on the horizon. I bit my lip as I held her football style into the front gates of the Magic Kingdom, secretly questioning my decision to bring her at all. But as I toted her down the holiday-laden streets of Disney’s Main Street, it happened.
Approaching the entering bridge, her head bobbed left to right as she eyed the sparkle of Cinderella’s castle, smelled the aroma of popcorn, watched the Disney characters move merrily about, and listened to the beginning melodies of a stage performance. It was at that moment–when all the Magic Kingdom elements came together—that she finally understood what all the darn fuss was about. She unexpectedly stopped her squirming, grabbed my neck and belted out with the exuberance only a two year old can give, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” And yes, it was magical.
(So magical, in fact, that she even inspired her tired old mama to take a picture of the moment.)
Of course, the way the Magic Kingdom “players” merged at this special moment to unleash joy from my daughter’s weary heart reminded me of the call every Christian has in not only celebrating but also spreading Christ’s Kingdom.
The fact is that Christ’s heavenly kingdom is already at hand and it has many players of its own. These players have received gifts and graces, they’ve experienced miracles and mysteries, and they’ve encountered abundant love and mercy that overshadows any princess castle. If all of these players would only bear witness to their Kingdom, it too would to cut through the hearts of unbelievers.
Today marks the beginning of the Advent season, in which we prepare for the coming of Christ, our King. Perhaps the best way to prepare is to embrace the role of a Kingdom player and share with others what Christ has given us. Maybe then we would unleash the real magic.
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