The Little Watchman’s Light
In a small hilltop village, everyone was busy getting ready for the King’s visit. The King had promised he would come one day to bless their town, but no one knew exactly when.
Each night, a group of watchmen took turns keeping lanterns lit on the village walls. Their job was to stay awake and look for the King’s arrival.
Among them was the youngest watchman, a boy named Sean. He wasn’t very big or strong, but he had a bright heart and took his job seriously. “I’ll stay awake,” he told himself each night. “When the King comes, I’ll be ready!”
At first, everyone was excited. But as weeks passed and the King didn’t come, the older watchmen began to grow tired. “He’s probably not coming tonight,” they would say, yawning. One by one, they let their lanterns go out.
Sean’s eyes grew heavy too. It was cold and dark, and staying awake was hard. But he remembered what the village priest had said:
“Keep your hearts ready, children. The King will come when no one expects it.”
So Sean took a deep breath, trimmed his lantern’s wick, and whispered a prayer:
“Lord, help me stay awake for You.”
Just before dawn, Sean noticed a glimmer of light on the road below. He rubbed his eyes—was he dreaming? No! The King’s carriage was coming up the hill!
Sean rang the bell and called out, “Wake up! The King is here!”
The villagers rushed out, surprised and overjoyed. The King smiled at Sean and said, “Well done, my little watchman. You stayed faithful and ready. Because of your light, the whole village was prepared to welcome me.”
Sean bowed, his heart full of warmth and joy. He had been ready—and the King had come.
Moral Lesson: Jesus reminds us to stay awake and be ready, not just with our eyes, but with our hearts. We don’t know when He will come again, but each day we can live with love, kindness, and faith—just like Sean kept his lantern shining. Advent is the time to prepare our hearts for Jesus’ coming, so that when He arrives, He finds us full of light.
Inspired by Matthew 24:37-44 and the beginning of the Advent season.
