The Queen's Christmas Message 2010 |
The Queen's Christmas Message this
year was recorded in the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace. Here is the full text of her Message broadcast on Christmas Day at 3 p.m.
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Over four hundred years ago King
James V1 of Scotland inherited the throne of England at a time when
the Christian Church was deeply divided. Here at Hampton Court
in 1604 he convened a conference of churchmen of all shades of opinion
to discuss the future of Christianity in this county. The King
agreed to commission a new translation of the bible that was
acceptable to all parties. This was to become the King James, or
Authorised, Bible, which next year will be exactly 4 centuries old.
Acknowledged as a masterpiece of English prose and the most vivid
translation of the scriptures, the glorious language of this bible has
survived the turbulence of history and given many of us the most
widely recognised and beautiful descriptions of the birth of Jesus
Christ which we celebrate today. The King James Bible is a major
co-operative endeavour that required the efforts of dozens of the
day's leading scholars. The whole enterprise was guided by an
interest in reaching agreement for the wider benefit of the Christian
church and to bring harmony to the kingdoms of England and Scotland.
Four hundred years later it is as important as ever to build
communities and create harmony. And one of the most powerful
ways of doing this is through sport and games. |
Old Poundswickians the world over will, I am sure, be ready to join together in wishing Her Majesty a happy and peaceful Christmas and a joyful New Year. Close this browser window to return to the Home Page. |