Christmas Commentary, No.11 – HM Queen Elizabeth II

I thought this little mini series, where I tried to publish some of the views of Christian thinkers on Christmas was over. It wasn’t. Today’s Queen’s Speech on UK television has forced me to do a serious rethink. Up until today I’ve always thought that the Queen’s Speech on Christmas Day was just a bit of a bore – a formality. Not today it wasn’t.

In her speech, Her Majesty set out a clear Christian message, so rare among our national leaders today. There was no attempt to fudge the issue, or to deliver a ‘politically correct’ message, unlike the Christmas message from the Archbishop of Canterbury. Her Majesty clearly set forth the Christian gospel, that we are sinners and that Christ is the Saviour.

Her Majesty pointed out…

“Although we are capable of great acts of kindness history teaches us that we often need saving from ourselves, from our recklessness or our greed.”

She reminded us that when God sent Christ into this world He sent a Unique Person, – not a general or a philosopher, but a Saviour. She spoke of how forgiveness lies at the heart of God’s love.

Like many a good preacher she quoted a hymn to illustrate her point. It was the words of ‘O little town of Bethlehem…’

O Holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us we pray,
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today.

The speech concluded with this appeal…

“It is my prayer that on this Christmas Day we might all find room in our lives for the message of the angels, and for the love of God, through Christ our Lord.”

A truly unashamed Christian message. Is it too much to think, that at the end of this year, when we have celebrated the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible, that we might see a time of National Repentance leading to Revival?

May Her Majesty’s speech be a turning point for our nation.

God Save the Queen.