Mark Goodge
2020-04-11 21:28:31 UTC
The Queen has, for the first time, given an official Easter message.
This is the full text of her speech:
Many religions have festivals which celebrate light overcoming
darkness. Such occasions are often accompanied by the lighting of
candles. They seem to speak to every culture, and appeal to people of
all faiths, and of none. They are lit on birthday cakes and to mark
family anniversaries, when we gather happily around a source of light.
It unites us.
As darkness falls on the Saturday before Easter Day, many Christians
would normally light candles together. In church, one light would pass
to another, spreading slowly and then more rapidly as more candles are
lit. It's a way of showing how the good news of Christ's resurrection
has been passed on from the first Easter by every generation until
now.
This year, Easter will be different for many of us, but by keeping
apart we keep others safe. But Easter isn't cancelled; indeed, we need
Easter as much as ever. The discovery of the risen Christ on the first
Easter Day gave his followers new hope and fresh purpose, and we can
all take heart from this. We know that Coronavirus will not overcome
us. As dark as death can be - particularly for those suffering with
grief - light and life are greater. May the living flame of the Easter
hope be a steady guide as we face the future.
I wish everyone of all faiths and denominations a blessed Easter.
https://www.royal.uk/queens-easter-message
Preach it, sis. Sorry, I mean, preach it, ma'am.
Mark
This is the full text of her speech:
Many religions have festivals which celebrate light overcoming
darkness. Such occasions are often accompanied by the lighting of
candles. They seem to speak to every culture, and appeal to people of
all faiths, and of none. They are lit on birthday cakes and to mark
family anniversaries, when we gather happily around a source of light.
It unites us.
As darkness falls on the Saturday before Easter Day, many Christians
would normally light candles together. In church, one light would pass
to another, spreading slowly and then more rapidly as more candles are
lit. It's a way of showing how the good news of Christ's resurrection
has been passed on from the first Easter by every generation until
now.
This year, Easter will be different for many of us, but by keeping
apart we keep others safe. But Easter isn't cancelled; indeed, we need
Easter as much as ever. The discovery of the risen Christ on the first
Easter Day gave his followers new hope and fresh purpose, and we can
all take heart from this. We know that Coronavirus will not overcome
us. As dark as death can be - particularly for those suffering with
grief - light and life are greater. May the living flame of the Easter
hope be a steady guide as we face the future.
I wish everyone of all faiths and denominations a blessed Easter.
https://www.royal.uk/queens-easter-message
Preach it, sis. Sorry, I mean, preach it, ma'am.
Mark