In his first Christmas speech in the role of a sovereign, King Charles III paid tribute to the Christian faith of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The speech marks the very first televised Christmas speech that is delivered by a king. The Kind quoted the carol, “O Little Town Of Bethlehem” which contains the line, “’in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light,” and pointed out that the late Queen believed in “the power of that light” and it was a fundamental aspect of her faith in the Almighty. The King also offered his gratitude to the nation for sending “touching” letters, messages and cards following the death of the Queen.
Christian Today reports:
The King has used his first Christmas Day speech as sovereign to pay tribute to his mother, the late Queen’s Christian faith.
In the first televised Christmas address by a king, King Charles thanked the nation for their “touching” letters, cards and messages after the death of Queen Elizabeth II earlier this year.
Speaking about bereavement at Christmas, he said, “Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones.
“We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each cherished tradition.
“In the much-loved carol O Little Town Of Bethlehem we sing of how ‘in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light’.
“My mother’s belief in the power of that light was an essential part of her faith in God, but also her faith in people and it is one which I share with my whole heart.
“It is a belief in the extraordinary ability of each person to touch, with goodness and compassion, the lives of others, and to shine a light in the world around them.
“This is the essence of our community and the very foundation of our society.”
The King’s Christmas Day speech was recorded by the King in St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
He thanked the “selfless dedication” of the armed forces and emergency services, as well as charities and the “wonderfully kind people” giving food and donations to help people in need in their communities.
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Photo by Dan Marsh
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