After year of jihadi terror, Queen’s Christmas Day speech to focus on Christianity

The annual message from Her Majesty to the country’s citizens, which has been televised since 1957, is expected to deal with the Queen’s own faith and the continuing importance of Christianity in Britain today.

This theme is especially significant given the growing number of terror attacks by Islamic extremists across the world this year, which have specifically targeted Christians, described by jihadis as “non-believers.”

The former Bishop of Rochester, Michael Nazir-Ali, said: “Clearly extremism is a backdrop to anything that any public figures says at this time.

“If people in this country gave greater heed to what the Queen says about the importance of Christianity in our personal as well as our national life, then we would be in a better place to confront it.

“The Queen will also be aware that Christians and others have faced unprecedented persecution over the last year in parts of the Middle East, and could even face extinction.”

A source confided that the Queen was “driven” by her faith, and would make a point of highlighting this during this year’s annual speech.

They said: “Over the years we’ve seen a greater emphasis on the Queen’s faith and we’re certain to see it in this year’s Christmas broadcast.

“There’s a fundamental optimism which, to an extent, is driven by her faith in contrast to the overall gloom.

“She is driven by a deep and spirited faith.”

The Royal Christmas Message dates back to 1932, when King George V broadcast a speech over the radio from Sandringham House.

Since then, it has been a holiday tradition. Only 1969 has not seen a Christmas message, when a Royal documentary was commissioned instead.

In 1986, the Queen was forced to re-record her speech, which was being filmed in a stables with Sir David David Attenborough, due to a restless horse.

The speech will be shown on BBC1 and ITV at 3pm on Christmas Day.

SOURCE: Express UK