Princess: Mummy, I am partly a real Princess.
Me: Yes?
Her: Yes. Will I tell you why?
Me: I am agog.
Her: Jesus is a Prince.
Me: Well, Prince of Heaven, I suppose – my kingdom is not of this world and all that.
Her (thoughtfully, ignoring maternal rambling): And Joseph must have been a king.
Me: Well, actually, you know, God is Jesus’s father.
[Some confusion as to whether Jesus and God are or are not the same person – something that it is, of course, a mystery. Do not attempt to explain theological mysteries to a 5 year old, if you are a bit unclear on them yourself; you will find that St. Patrick and his shamrock are not as useful as you had always supposed.]
Her: Well, anyway, when Jesus/God grew up, he was a king.
Me: Umm…yeah, I suppose.
Her: And you know that we call God “Our Father”.
Me: Yes [on safer ground].
Her: So my father is a king, therefore, I am a Princess.
Sounds pretty good logic. As to whether it’s good theology…? It doesn’t sound as though it’s BAD theology so I reckon it’s ok…
She’s good.
And you had that confusing shamrock thing as an explanation of the trilogy too, then? I spent years thinking I was worshipping the Great Shamrock in the Sky.
She has it absolutely right. She is a princess! Jesus is the King of Kings and we are his children. It is perfectly legit! Bless her heart.
I’m taking notes.