A Tribute To The Late Queen Elizabeth Ii

Everyone is our neighbour, no matter what race, creed or colour.

The need to look after a fellow human being is far more important than any cultural or religious differences."

From her 2008 Christmas Speech

"I hope that, like me, you will be comforted by the example of Jesus of Nazareth who, often in circumstances of great adversity, managed to live an outgoing, unselfish and sacrificial life.

Countless millions of people around the world continue to celebrate his birthday at Christmas, inspired by his teaching.

He makes it clear that genuine human happiness and satisfaction lie more in giving than receiving; more in serving than in being served.

We can surely be grateful, two thousand years after the birth of Jesus, that so many of us are able to draw inspiration from his life and message, and to find in him a source of strength and courage. "

And finally from her 2012 Christmas speech

"Finding hope in adversity is one of the themes of Christmas.

Jesus was born into a world full of fear.

The angels came to frightened shepherds with hope in their voices:

'Fear not', they urged, 'we bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

'For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.'

Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves - from our recklessness or our greed.

God sent into the world a unique person - neither a philosopher nor a general, important though they are, but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.

Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith.

It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God's love.

In the last verse of that beautiful carol, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, there's a prayer:

"O Holy Child of Bethlehem,

Descend to us we pray.

Cast out our sin

And enter in.

Be born in us today"

Unlike Alistair Campbell, Tony Blair’s spin doctor who infamously told the world that “we don’t do God”, the Queen certainly ‘did God’.

And she was not ashamed of her Christian faith.

May we follow her example as we move forward into a new reign, that of King Charles III

May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

Sources Susie Leafe and Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II