Elizabeth II Wishes All a Happy Christmas

This journal considers itself a Mid-Atlantic entity with a die-hard republican stripe to it. As such, the abolition of the British Monarchy would be the best Christmas present possible. Santa failed again this year, but Mrs. Philip Windsor, a/k/a Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, gave a fine traditional Christmas speech that deserves one’s consideration and admiration. Quite apt as it was the 50th anniversary of her first televised Christmas speech.

Her Majesty, against whom this journal has no personal grudge, reflected as all mankind must reflect on the technological changes that have occurred in the last five decades. Back in 1957, the new Queen of England, Scotland etc, (and for the record, a rather delightful young lady who was conscripted for her job) said, “I very much hope that this new medium will make my Christmas message more personal and direct. It is inevitable that I should seem a rather remote figure to many of you – a successor to the kings and queens of history: someone whose face may be familiar in newspapers and films but who never really touches your personal lives. But now, at least for a few minutes, I welcome you to the peace of my own home.”

Her home, of course, is a rather grand building in the center of London, and another one near Slough at a place called Windsor, and there’s yet another in Scotland at Balmoral. She doesn’t live like the rest of her subjects (not citizens, but subjects), and frankly, she has endangered the monarchy from time to time (as with the death of Princess Diana) by seeming out of touch with Essex-man, the miners of Wales, and the Scots in general.

This year, she said, “One of the features of growing old is a heightened awareness of change. To remember what happened 50 years ago means that it is possible to appreciate what has changed in the meantime. It also makes you aware of what has remained constant. In my experience, the positive value of a happy family is one of the factors of human existence that has not changed. The immediate family of grandparents, parents and children, together with their extended family, is still the core of a thriving community.” And so it is, Ma’am.

She added, "In the words of a familiar Christmas carol, let us remember in his name the poor and the helpless; the cold, the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved." Two millenia ago, someone else put it better. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Amen.

© Copyright 2007 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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