Throughout her reign, the late Queen Elizabeth II shared thoughts about her Christian faith during many of her televised broadcasts. Have a read at some as you reflect and take encouragement from them.

"I like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ's words and example.  I believe that the Christian message, in the words of a familiar blessing, remains profoundly important to us all:

'Go forth into the world in peace, be of good courage,

hold fast that which is good,

render to no man evil for evil, strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak,

help the afflicted,

honour all men.'

It is a simple message of compassion - and yet as powerful as ever today, 2,000 years after Christ's birth."

Christmas Message 2000 

  

"As so often in our lives at time of tragedy- just as on occasions of celebration and thanksgiving - we look to the Church to bring us together as a nation or as a community in commemoration and tribute. 

It is to the Church that we turn to give meaning to these moments of intense human experience through prayer., symbol and ceremony." 

Christmas Message 2001 

  

"Like others of you who draw inspiration from your own faith, I draw strength from the message of hope in the Christian gospel. 

Fortified by this and the support you have given throughout the last twelve months which has meant so much to me, I look forward to the New Year, to facing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and to continuing to serve you to the very best of my ability each and every day." 

Christmas Message 2002 

  

"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."

Christmas Message 2008 

"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.

Itis 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."

Christmas Message 20111

 

"For Christians, as for all people of faith, reflection, meditation and prayer help us to renew ourselves in God's love, as we strive daily to become better people. The Christmas message shows us that this love is for everyone. There is 

no one beyond its reach. 

Christmas Message 2013 

 

"For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life.  A role model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing. Christ's 

example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people, of whatever faith or none." 

Christmas Message 2014 

 

"Despite being displaced and persecuted throughout his short life, Christ's unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence but simply that we should love one another. 

Although it is not an easy message to follow, we shouldn't be discouraged; rather, it inspires us to try harder: to be thankful for the people who bring love and happiness into our own lives, and to look for ways of spreading that love 

to others, whenever and wherever we can." 

Christmas Message 2015 

 

"Jesus Christ lived obscurely for most of his life, and never travelled far. He was maligned and rejected by many. though he had done no wrong. And yet, billions of people now follow his teaching and find in him the guiding light for their lives. lam one of them because Christ's example helps me see the value of doing small things with great love, whoever does them and whatever they themselves believe." 

"We remember the birth of Jesus Christ whose only sanctuary was a stable in Bethlehem. 

Christmas Message 2016 

 

He knew rejection, hardship and persecution; and yet it is Jesus Christ's generous love and example which has inspired me through good times and bad." 

Christmas Message 2017