God Save our Gracious Queen

(pickies courtesy of world wide web)

Hullo there everyone! 

We are enjoying beautiful summer weather here downunder and it is Boxing day, and just watched at 1pm the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race leaving from beautiful Sydney harbour! Tis a tradition on Boxing day along with Boxing day test, which also starts today! This year it is against Sri Lanka. Not much crafting going on but hopefully will start in real earnest in day or two :D

I want to thank everyone who has left good wishes and pray that you also are blessed of the LORD this Christmas New year season and good health and safety for all.

I was really blessed as were my other family members last night as we sat and listened to the speech given by our 86 year old Queen!

 A very trendy Queen too, as here she is delighted as she views her speech which was recorded in 3D for the first time this year!

I was really taken this year to her reference to the carol which over here in Oz, I had never really heard..(not being bleak or midwinter)

In The Bleak Midwinter

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, Whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, Whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

It was the last verse upon which she focused: (quote below) 

Quote taken from last half of her message:

"At Christmas I am always struck by how the spirit of togetherness lies also at the heart of the Christmas story. A young mother and a dutiful father with their baby were joined by poor shepherds and visitors from afar. They came with their gifts to worship the Christ child. From that day on He has inspired people to commit themselves to the best interests of others.

"This is the time of year when we remember that God sent his only son 'to serve, not to be served'. He restored love and service to the centre of our lives in the person of Jesus Christ.

"It is my prayer this Christmas Day that His example and teaching will continue to bring people together to give the best of themselves in the service of others.

"The carol, In The Bleak Midwinter, ends by asking a question of all of us who know the Christmas story, of how God gave himself to us in humble service: 'What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part'. 

The carol gives the answer 'Yet what I can I give him - give my heart'.

"I wish you all a very happy Christmas."

 

I thrills my heart when a person with great influences stands so boldly and true to God's Word and Truth.. doesn't it?

"Long may she reign over us,

God save our Queen".

 

God bless you everyone wherever you may be, and thanks so much for popping over for a peek and chat!

Shaz in Oz.x 
PS Happy WOYWW everyone - will, God willing, be back next week.
PPS. Thursday: Right calf biopsy showed it was an SCC cancer, so had it removed today. So crafting delayed bit more.. ah well, have good book to read. :D