1926 - 2022
Our greatly esteemed Queen Elizabeth has passed from time into eternity.
She will be remembered for her loyalty to her country, her commitment to her vows, her stoicism in the face of personal loss and hardship and her untiring service as our longest serving monarch.
Born on April 21, 1926, Elizabeth was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York. She was third in line of succession to the throne, and it was not expected that her father (George VI) would become King or that she would become Queen.
She married Prince Philip in Westminster Abbey on November 20, 1947. She had to collect clothing coupons for her dress, as the nation was still on rationing after the war!
Elizabeth was crowned Queen in Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953. She was presented with a Bible and was told, as in all previous coronations since 1689, ‘We present you with this Book, the most valuable thing that this world affords. Here is wisdom; this is the royal Law; these are the lively Oracles of God.’
In her 70 year reign the world has changed. Her reign saw the rise of television, mobile phones and internet as key mediums of communication; man went into space and walked on the moon; the Berlin wall was built and broken down; international travel became widely available.
In her 2011 Christmas Day message, Her Majesty the Queen said,
“For many, this Christmas will not be easy. ... As we all know, the world is going through difficult times. All this will affect our celebration of this great Christian festival.
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...
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:
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.”
There is a Monarch before whom even Her Majesty the Queen will now bow. In the very Book with which the Queen was presented on her Coronation we read that Jesus will reign for ever and ever. Jesus is the King of kings, the ultimate Sovereign. He rules over all of creation. To Him is due the worship of the nations. We read in the Bible that Jesus:
“Being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in Heaven and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:6-11).
I never met the Queen. However, I do know King Jesus. He loved me (and you) so much that He left the splendour of Heaven to be born and laid in a manger in Bethlehem.
Having led an absolutely regal life, committing no sin, and revealing no selfishness, He went to die on a cross. There, He took on Himself all the sin and rebellion of His citizens. He died in our place. It was the ultimate act of sacrifice, which He made because He loves us so much. He died that we might come to know God in a personal way. As King, even over death, Jesus rose again, defeating the grave.
Today we have a new monarch on the British throne, but the King of all kings invites YOU to receive Him as Lord and Saviour. He will never leave nor forsake you in life, through death, and into eternity.
Published by www.10ofthose.com
Written by Roger Carswell
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