King Charles III's Christmas Speech Called for the "Life-Giving Light"

King Charles III

As political tensions spread across our globe, and authoritarian impulses are taking over too many world governments, let us reflect on Christmas is a time of harmony, service, and mutual love.

On December 25, 2022, King Charles III broadcast a radio message across Great Britain. After mourning his mother’s recent death, he talked about the universal values that Christmas can represent for us. Those values, the values of light, goodness and compassion, are shared by good people everywhere, regardless of religious or political views. Charles explained:

"It is a belief in the extraordinary ability of each person to touch, with goodness and compassion, the lives of others, and to shine a light in the world around them.

"This is the essence of our community and the very foundation of our society."

Charles emphasized that we live in community with one another and that we all have the “extraordinary ability” to reach out “goodness and compassion:”

"It is a belief in the extraordinary ability of each person to touch, with goodness and compassion, the lives of others, and to shine a light in the world around them.

"This is the essence of our community and the very foundation of our society."

Without that sense of light, how can we live together in society?

The Harpine Family Christmas Tree

All too often, we think that religion limits us. We say, "my religion is better than yours,” or, worse, “only people who agree with me can receive the blessings that my religion promises.” Charles stressed that, although Christmas is a sectarian holiday, all of us can, and must, maintain the same basic values. Regardless of our religious views, we can contend that light should always overcome darkness. The king continued:

"While Christmas is, of course, a Christian celebration, the power of light overcoming darkness is celebrated across the boundaries of faith and belief.

"So, whatever faith you have, or whether you have none, it is in this life-giving light, and with the true humility that lies in our service to others, that I believe we can find hope for the future. 

"Let us therefore celebrate it together, and cherish it always."

From unity, we can receive hope. By reflecting on what we share, and not how we differ, we can work together and move forward.

I hope that all my readers enjoy this season, which is holy to Christians around the world, and I extend those wishes to all of you: for, no matter what religious beliefs you might, or might not hold, regardless of whether we agree or do not agree politically or religiously, we all sojourn on this planet together. Let us reach out toward the light, with understanding and empathy, and, as King Charles said, “celebrate it together.”

Peace. 

by William D. Harpine

Earlier Post: Pope Francis' Christmas Message

Earlier Post: Governor Greg Abbott Didn't Know the Christmas Story

Image of King Charles III, White House photo, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Christmas Tree image, William D. Harpine, copyright © 2024 by William D. Harpine

Copyright © 2024 by William D. Harpine