For Queen and Doctor, 2nd Day of UK Christmas

A long standing tradition in England is the Queen's Address on Christmas Day. The tradition was started by George V in 1932 (which I suppose in the grand tradition of the country isn't that old, but still it is beyond the memory of many people, and of course with him it was called the King's Address) with a radio broadcast. She herself gave the first televised message in 1957. This year's Christmas message was broadcast on BBC One at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, which was 3:00 p.m. our local time. We are unable to receive broadcasts on our American TV but we could watch live on-line at the BBC's web site (after confirming that we have paid the BBC license).

She spoke about the importance of family and how all nations and people in the Commonwealth are family in a real and true sense. We are drawn together, especially through adversity. Adversity brings out the best in communities, the best in people. The message of Christmas is one of hope, for Jesus Himself was born in a time of great adversity and gave the example of love, care, and forgiveness that we all need. She spoke of her state visit to Ireland and how through sorrow and forgiveness troubled relations can be repaired. She spoke quite eloquently. Her speech (which she wrote herself) was amazingly and sincerely Christian. You'd never hear anything remotely like it from an American politician. I suppose as Queen she transcends partisan politics and she shows the best of the British spirit. Her speech is definitely worth listening too.



A much newer tradition in England is the Doctor Who Christmas Special, which started in 2005 during the current revival of the franchise. This year's episode, called "The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe," (clearly a C. S. Lewis homage) was broadcast Christmas night at 7:00 p.m. in England. We were in the middle of dessert and Skyping with family and bedtime for the children and were unable to watch when it was broadcast. We will watch it soon on the BBC iPlayer.

For those in America, it is showing on BBC America.