Ernest was the king of a small region southwest of Egypt. It was so small in fact that his kingdom was made up of only six people, four being family members and the fifth a guest who hadn’t yet left after attending a dinner party there several months earlier. "Well, it’s getting late," family members would tell the man from time to time, hoping he would finally get the hint, but he would just go on telling about his Uncle Albert’s model ship collection.

For that and other reasons, all was not well in Ernest’s kingdom. There was much bickering among King Ernest’s subjects, such as when Prince Billy demanded, "Where be my shoes!?" to which his sister, the fair Princess Lori would answer, "How should I know? I don’t don them!"

And lo, even the beautiful Queen Doris was disgruntled. Every night she had to cleanse the dishes – even the royal pots and pans – while King Ernest lay on the couch, never so much as lifting a royal finger to aid his queen.

Then one day, while waiting to check out at the market, Queen Doris spied a headline in the Southwest Egypt Register that would change their kingdom – and their lives — forever: "Savior coming; star to mark birthplace."

"As a king," Queen Doris said unto Ernest upon his arrival home that evening, "you must go and welcome this Christ child. He could grant us the peace we so desperately need! And even if he doesn’t, the exercise will do you good."

Having heard the prophecies, Ernest set out with a smile on his face, confident that this child would bring with him a peace that would embrace his kingdom. Upon his way he stopped at a toy market, spied a shelf holding gold, frankincense and myrrh, wondered what on earth a child would want with them, and purchased a stuffed penguin.

And thus did King Ernest set out into the desert upon his trusty camel, Mike, in search of the Star of David. For miles they scanned the night sky searching for the star as they trod along in the dark, until finally the two drifted off to sleep. It was hours later when they awoke to a bright light.

"Can I help you?" a voice asked. He was bent and elderly, his outstretched arm holding an oil lamp.

"Er, yes. I hope so. I am King Ernest, and I am searching for a star to lead me to the Son of God, Jesus the Christ, Lord of Hosts, King of Kings. And I’m totally lost. Can you help?"

"I … uh … hate to be the one to tell you this," the old man replied, "but the Christ child and his family have already fled to Egypt to escape King Herod. Didn’t you read the Register? It explicitly stressed, ‘arrive early."

"My queen wouldn’t let me go until I cleaned out the royal attic," King Ernest said, looking forlorn. The old man nodded sympathetically.

The light of day started its slow ascent from the east as King Ernest and Mike began their sad journey home.

"What will I tell my queen?" Ernest wondered aloud as the hours ticked by. "Now my kingdom will forever be gripped by turmoil, my queen never to cook lasagna again, just out of spite."

As Ernest and Mike were making their way over the never-ending dunes, a haggard looking man was gathering water from a small pond while his wife nursed her newborn son. Surrounded by a grouping of small rocks jutting out of the desert floor, Joseph felt sure that his family could rest comfortably for a time before continuing their journey.

"God has blessed us with this oasis in the des— " Joseph stopped talking. A startled look had appeared on Mary’s face as she gazed between some rocks. From atop a nearby dune came a very suprised looking man on a camel.

"Uh…er…Excuse me!" Ernest shouted, his voice shaking. "Surely God has led me this day. I am King Ernest, and I come to greet the newborn King!"

Whew, Joseph thought.

Ernest slowly approached the child, so small and fragile. Could this be the Savior for whom we’ve all been waiting? Could this be the Son of God?

"From this tiny babe has come hope for the world," Mary said, gazing proudly at her son.