Born to be King…?

Two boys were born with the hope they would one day be king.

This one was born to great public expectations and rejoicing. The other was an embarrassment and a source of shame, born illegitimate to an unmarried mother.

This one attracted global media attention, with people all around the world waiting the moment. The other’s birth was almost unknown and unnoted, passed over by history; we do not even know the date he was born.

This one was announced by press release and social media, confirmed by a letter pinned on a gold easel. The other was announced only by angels to those who would believe.

This one was acclaimed by crowds gathered across the nation and thronged around the royal palace. The other was acclaimed only by the poorest of the poor, shepherds living off the land.

This one was delivered in the best surroundings with the expert help of leading physicians. The other was delivered in the family home in which they were guests, surrounded by animals.

This one was lauded by governments and ministers, welcomed into the structures of power. The other was persecuted by the powers that be, fleeing to another country as a refugee.

This one will have a choice of palaces and royal houses to live in. The other had nowhere to lay his head.

This one is expected to have a long and happy life, exercising his rule into the next century. The other’s life was cut cruelly short—he was tortured and killed as a common criminal.

I will be fortunate if I ever actually meet this one in person in my lifetime. The other promises to welcome into friendship all those who come to him.

This one will exercise dominion over Great Britain and lead the Commonwealth of 54 nations. The other has a personal global following of billions, and will return one day to claim his own.