Queen Elizabeth II’s remarkable reign – and her faith

She has met the Beatles. She speaks fluent French. She has survived 12 US Presidents and she even has a Facebook page. She served in WWII, driving a truck for the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service where she was known to change a flat tire or two. On Wednesday (September 9, 2015), Queen Elizabeth II added on to her diverse list of accomplishments by becoming the longest-reigning monarch in British history with 63 years, 7 months and two days under her reign, reports Christian Telegraph.

As Queen Elizabeth II, now 89, surpassed her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria, who previously held the record for longest reigning British monarch, Christian publications and columnists have honoured her for her steadfast Christian faith.

The Christian Institute writes: She has often used her traditional Christmas message to speak of forgiveness, Jesus’ sacrificial life, the fact that no one is beyond God’s love and the example that she herself takes from Jesus.

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Last year the Queen said: “For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life.

“A role-model of reconciliation and forgiveness, He stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing.

Christ’s example
“Christ’s example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people of whatever faith or none.”

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In 2012 she highlighted that Christmas 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”, she added.

The previous year she said: “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.”

Libby Purves, writing in The Times earlier this week, also noted the Queen’s consistent comments on her faith.

Purves picked up on comments she made back in 2000 when she told the Commonwealth: “For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life.

“I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example.”

Christian Today Contributing Editor Mark Woods writes that the Church of England is lucky to have Queen Elizabeth as its head.

He writes: “In recent years she has worn her faith more openly, as we have seen in the Christmas broadcasts in which she speaks directly to the nation. Last year she said: ‘For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the prince of peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life.” In 2012 she said: “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.’

“The previous year she said: ‘God sent into the world a unique person – neither a philosopher nor a general…but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.’ Forgiveness, she said, ‘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.”

“Today, Queen Elizabeth passes Victoria’s record as our longest-serving monarch. We should be glad of her example of loyal service, and glad that she is not ashamed of the gospel. What sort of spirituality her successors will bring to their role is open to question; Charles, who famously said that he would like to be a defender of faith rather than of ‘the faith’, appears to have a rather more pick-and-mix approach to religion.”

 Christian Telegraph reports that the British Ambassador to the Holy See, Nigel Baker, commemorated the occasion of Queen Elizabeth’s record reign landmark with deep admiration. “I think for me, what really stands out, is her deep sense of service to Britain and the British people,” he stated, saying “I think it’s that sense of service and duty that springs forth from her faith.”