One of our family Christmas traditions, growing up at home, was listening to the Queen's Christmas Day Message. That tradition has waned over the years. But this year, a tweet from Bill Kinnon prompted me to listen:
"The Queen's speech brought tears to the Kinnons today. She preached Jesus, the Saviour!"This year's message [see the video below] is a clear explanation of the gospel as the true meaning of Christmas and of her faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and her King. Here’s what she said...
"Finding hope in adversity is one of the themes of Christmas. Jesus was born into a world full of fear. The angels came to frightened shepherds with hope in their voices: ‘Fear not’, they urged, ‘we bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ‘For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.’ Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves – from our recklessness or our greed. God sent into the world a unique person – neither a philosopher nor a general, important though they are, but a Saviour, with the power to forgive. Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God’s love. In the last verse of this beautiful carol, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, there’s a prayer:The Queen, as she approaches the 60th anniversary of her reign, is still a great communicator. She certainly understands the importance, and the heart of the message of Christmas.
O Holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us we pray.
Cast out our sin
And enter in.
Be born in us today.
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. I wish you all a very happy Christmas."
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