On the Occasion of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee
It might seem a little anachronistic to some to be holding a national celebration, complete with Union flags in a church. Shouldn't the church and state be kept separate?
In some countries the two are rigorously kept apart. But for centuries, faith has been woven into the fabric of our nation. It's like trying to unpick threads in a tapestry. Where do you start? Even our national anthem is a prayer.
Our Queen, is Head of State to whom Parliament is answerable. But she is also Supreme Governor of the Church of England and Defender of the Faith. As such, she is hardly a neutral on the subject of faith in God.
In fact, faith is a significant factor in what makes Elizabeth II who she is. She herself has not chosen to limit her faith to the private sphere of her personal thoughts and opinions.
It is no surprise that she was in church today. The festivities marking her glorious reign would not be complete for her without a very public celebration of the faith that sustains her.
This is how she put it in her own words during her Christmas message in 2008:
I hope that, like me, you will be comforted by the example of Jesus of Nazareth who, often in circumstances of great adversity, managed to live an outgoing, unselfish and sacrificial life. Countless millions of people around the world continue to celebrate his birthday at Christmas, inspired by his teaching.
He makes it clear that genuine human happiness and satisfaction lie more in giving than receiving; more in serving than in being served.
We can surely be grateful that, two thousand years after the birth of Jesus, so many of us are able to draw inspiration from his life and message, and to find in him a source of strength and courage.
Last Christmas, she was even more candid about how her faith undergirds and inspires her life of service to us, her subjects.
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.
All the speech lacked was an altar call!
If you will forgive me for a moment, I would like to briefly share with you a bit of my own personal journey. In 1977 our nation celebrated the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. I was 16 at the time and alternating between apathy and hostility towards the celebrations.
I complained about the huge waste of public money. I whinged about the extensive coverage on TV. I bought the Sex Pistols’ records “Anarchy in the UK” and their version of “God Save the Queen” - and played them endlessly - and loudly to the great irritation of my parents.
I thought then that the monarchy was outdated, undemocratic and out of touch. I sneered at the luxury, the class divide, the protocol, the deference. I was a proud republican.
I am happy to admit that I was wrong. Over the years, I have come to hold the exact opposite view to the one I held then. What do you think changed my mind?
Was it that I learned to appreciate the monarchy’s endurance over time?
Was it that the alternative (President Cameron, Clegg or Milliband) was no improvement?
Was it that I worked out that she earns the nation a fortune from tourism?
Not really. The truth is that the Queen herself won my heart.
Our reading from Romans 13 says Give to everyone what you owe: if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.
We owe Queen Elizabeth II enormous respect and honour.
Respect because she sets the standard for the nation. In 60 years of nonstop public service she has not put a foot wrong.
Respect because her values of faith, responsibility, discretion, service, loyalty and family are the ideals that make a nation strong.
Honour because her stature and greatness and nobility are rooted in her character.
Honour because being Queen is not a role she chose nor, I believe, is it one she craved as a young woman. But, happily for us, it is one she accepted and has fulfilled with absolute devotion.
I was talking with a few members of the congregation here the other week and I asked if anyone had actually met the Queen. Several had been near her but one had actually spoken with her.
She was hosting a tea for representatives of various charities. My friend worked as a children’s counsellor. She must have been well briefed because there were about 100 people there and the Queen seemed to know what each one did.
She turned to my friend and asked “Tell me, how do you help children to grieve?” Little did she know then that she would have to help her own grandchildren to mourn the loss of Princess Diana in full view of a rather critical nation.
When Elizabeth was crowned queen she was given a copy of the Bible.
And, as it was presented to her, the Archbishop said these words; “We present you with this book, the most valuable thing this world affords. Here is wisdom, this is the royal law; these are the living oracles of God.”
I’m told she reads it every day and has proved a great inspiration to her throughout her reign.
In view of this, we would like to offer you a Jubilee edition of a part of the Bible - the New Testament.
It has a special introductory section with verses you an look up when anxious, lonely, seeking guidance, bereaved and so on. There's also a little section (with pictures) all about the Queen and her faith but the most important part is what comes afterwards.
I encourage you to read it with an open heart, asking that God will speak to you through it. Copies are available on the way out. It is our gift to you.
I close with verse 4 from our reading – I could hardly find a more appropriate verse in the whole Bible for an occasion such as this.
For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good.
Amen. God save the Queen.
Sermon preached at Saint Mary's Long Newton, 5th June 2012
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