Monday was Queen Beatrix’s of Netherlands 75th
birthday. Later today she will abdicate in favor of her son Prince
Willem-Alexander after 33 years on the throne. Prince Willeim-Alexander will then become the
country’s first King since William 111.
The celebration will be marked around the streets in
Netherlands by the Dutch people. It is said that about a million visitors are
also set to pour into Amsterdam, and street parties are planned across the
nation. Even here in Kenya there are plans to celebrate the life of the lovely
Queen. It is set to be a joyous occasion. Royalties and dignitaries from other
countries will attend the ceremony.
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| Queen Bea and her son Prince Willem |
The Queen who also goes by the name Queen Bea has
been a sensation in the Dutch monarchy. She is the sixth monarch from the House
of Orange-Nassau, which has ruled the Netherlands since the early 19th Century.
The Queen is stepping down for her son to take up the throne and become its new
King. It is tradition in the Dutch law for the monarch to abdicate.
As much as royalty comes with the pop and glamor,
it also comes with the tough experiences. During her time as Queen, she has experienced
traumatic events. In 2009, a would-be attacker killed eight people when he
drove his car into crowds watching the queen and other members of the royal
family in a national holiday parade. Another event would be where her other
son, Prince Fiso, is still in a coma after he was struck by an avalanche in
Austria.
This reminds me of the story of Jesus, the son of
God. He was royalty though he did not live as one. He was born in poverty to a
young couple who looked and lived an ordinary life. The carpenters’ son went
around teaching in different places with disciples that were from the lower
side of the society. He ate and had fellowship with what the Pharisees
described as sinners. Nothing about him spoke of royalty, not even his
appearance. In fact for a crown he wore a crown of thorns and yet he was still
the only Begotten Son.
Jesus gave up his royalty for us. To show us the
true face and heart of God. He was the example of true royalty. We became
children of the light only when we believed that he is the son of God and thus we
spread this light everywhere we go.
One thing that Jesus proved in his life was that
true love is to lay down one’s life for another life. It’s the sacrifices that
we make that change someone’s life for their good. My pastor shared with me
once and said people will not always remember you for the big sacrifices that
you made but they will remember you for the small sacrifices.
Queen Bea has sacrificed her throne for her son,
Jesus did it for you and me. What about you? What sacrifice will you make?
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