If you
have a 3D television, there was something new for you to enjoy last month, as
for the first time, the Queen’s Christmas Day broadcast was available in this
new medium. I don’t know what difference
it made – did it seem that the corgis were going to jump out at you? – but the
television news reports of the broadcast made much of the fact beforehand.
Afterwards
the reports concentrated on how Her Majesty had looked back on the two major
events of 2012 – the Diamond Jubilee and the Summer Olympics. As always, perhaps the most important part of
the speech, which is the only one we are told that the Queen writes herself
every year, was passed over by the news broadcasts. As in every year recently, the Queen had
spoken of her faith, and of what the Christmas season means to her. Though the politically correct media
organisations seem embarrassed by the fact, it is clear that a personal faith
is a most important part of her life and what she said this Christmas is worth
thinking about as we enter a new year.
Speaking of the wise men of Matthew
chapter 2 she said,
“visitors
from afar … came with their gifts to worship the Christ child. From that day on
he has inspired people to commit themselves to the best interests of others. This is the time of year when we remember
that God sent his only son 'to serve, not to be served'. He restored love and service to the centre of
our lives in the person of Jesus Christ.
It is my prayer this Christmas Day that his example and teaching will
continue to bring people together to give the best of themselves in the service
of others.
It was
interesting to hear such words about prayer, worship, God sending his only Son,
and the person and work of Christ, coming from our Monarch. It should give us renewed encouragement to
pray ‘God save the Queen’. But it was
especially good to hear her at least partially quote the words of Jesus found
in Mark 10:45;
“For even the Son of Man did
not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
As the
Queen reminded us, this verse points us to the example of Christ in serving
others. It was originally spoken to the
disciples as they were aguing amongst themselves as to who was the greatest. The Lord wants His people to rejoice in
serving one another. That must be our
attitude in the twelve months that lie before us. As the church of Jesus Christ we are all
different and we all have our faults and failings. But we are commanded to love and serve one
another. How will you do that in New Inn
Congregational Church in 2013?
But
the part that the Queen didn’t quote is of great significance too. The Lord Jesus came not just to serve but to
give His life as a ransom for many. Our
only hope of eternal life is in the sacrifice of the Saviour on our
behalf. It is that message that we need
to believe, preach and go on emphasising in another New Year.
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