With the beginnings of radio and the BBC, King George V gave the first Royal Christmas message, written by author Rudyard Kipling, in 1932.
However, it took the darkness of WWII, advancing terror across the world stage that made the Royal Christmas Broadcast a tradition.
In 1939, King George VI, dressed as Admiral of the Fleet, encouraged his people with words from poet Minnie Harkin: I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’ And he replied, ‘Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!
The tradition continues today with a profound, timely message from Queen Elizabeth II who wrote her own speech, heralded by an Agape Europe ministry friend of mine based in England with this: possibly the most succinct and widely heard gospel message in history.
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:
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. –Queen Elizabeth II, 2011 Royal Christmas message
