My six-year-old son Augustine and I sat transfixed this morning from my home office in Los Angeles, watching the coronation of King Charles III. How the world has changed since a four-year-old boy named Charles watched his mother’s coronation 70 years ago.
The Coronation Of King Charles III
I was interested in how Augustine would react. What would he notice? What would draw his attention? He goes to Sunday School and is familiar with the pomp and pageantry of the kings of ancient Israel as recorded in the Hebrew Bible. He noticed the parallels immediately. As we watched the crowning, he perceptibly asked about what the meaning of the sword and other accouterments (impatient for the actual crowning). I told him to listen. Indeed, the Archbishop carefully explained the symbolism of each element.
The pinnacle of the ceremony was when Charles was anointed in oil behind a screen as George Frideric Handel’s coronation tune Zadok the Priest, written for George II in 1727, was sung.
ZADOK the priest, and Nathan the prophet anointed Solomon king; and all the people rejoiced, and said: God save the king. Long live the king. May the king live forever. Hallelujah. Amen. – 1 Kings 1: 39–40
Even so, my favorite part of the ceremony was when Charles was presented with a Bible, with the admonition:
SIR, to keep you ever mindful of the law and the Gospel of God as the Rule for the whole life and government of Christian Princes, receive this Book, the most valuable thing that this world affords. Here is Wisdom; this is the royal Law; these are the lively Oracles of God.
The beautiful liturgy of the Anglican Church is always an inspiration to me and the liturgy of this service was indeed inspiring.
You can review the entire liturgy here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32vOXffXfkw&pp=ygUSY2hhcmxlcyBjb3JvbmF0aW9u
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I love religion, which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how that love is channeled. Religion can damn us to a superficial, hollow, and rote expression of faith (or indeed no genuine faith at all) that can lead others astray. Religion, like anything else, can become an idol that clouds us from the purest expression of truth and love found in a Man, not a following. As such, I must always remind myself that religion is a means to an end rather than an end in itself.
I think I’m drawn to the British Royal Family because it represents the Christian roots of our civilization. No, the US is not a Christian nation and I’m glad of that. I think religion flourishes when church and state are kept separate. Even so, the beauty of this service and its roots tracing back centuries into the past and indeed all the way to ancient Israel does give me pause…and appreciation. My hope is vested not in an earthly king or present, but the King of Kings and I was thankful that the service today at least gave lip service to that ultimate hope. It is always important to affirm that our leaders come not to be served, but to serve.
But as Augustine said, “That’s really cool.” Yes, there is something really cool about a tradition that has been repeated for nearly a millennium, and that points those of us under the progeny of the British Crown to the roots of our systems of government and tradition that continues to inspire even in our post-modern world.
Thank you. Well said!
He is wretched.
If only he actually practiced the Christian values he agreed to today and that his church teaches ..
I think the British monarchy is a huge BS. They don’t do anything and live a lavish life ases on inheritance and outdated laws that protect them. I worked very very close to the royals and I can tell you it is for show.
I don’t think your position is unreasonable, but I do think that the late Queen did dedicate her life to public service in a noble and extraordinary way.
The Queen was a racist, homophobe. Furthermore, she will go down as one of the weakest monarchs in history. She oversaw the almost complete loss of her empire. Not a job well done.
I don’t think that is a fair characterization of her character and I don’t think she can be blamed for the dismantling of the British Empire. What was she supposed to do in the midst of a broad anti-colonial movement for independence as the figurehead head of state?
Overseeing the dismantling of the empire means she was weak?? To most people, the end of the colonial era and the independence given back to the former colonies was a good thing.
I think the Queen was extremely charismatic and I agree with you that she was well liked by most. The rest of the family and other Prices, Duques and other BS are useless. They live by sucking on the inheritance that due to archaic laws are forever. If you are born in the family, you are guaranteed for life by doing absolutely nothing.
I think her main dedication was ensuring the survival of the royal family and their (tax free as much as possible) wealth above all…everything else was probably just a means to an end.
Americans worship far more depraved and degenerate celebrities than Elizabeth. At least the queen carried her role with far more dignity and grace, this is speaking as someone who isn’t obsessed with British monarchy like Matthew or anyone else.
I must respectfully disagree. You noted that “Religion can damn us to a superficial, hollow, and rote expression of faith” and sadly I think this is a summary of what the official Church of England has become. Although I am sure that within the church there are genuine believers who have deep faith and love for God, its leadership has long since departed from the “faith once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 1:3). I would love to see King Charles stand as a man of faith committed to the history teachings of Scripture, but little about his life and priorities have suggested that to be the case. Scripture is clear that God is not honored by empty lip-service that is not backed by faith and obedience.
I was careful to avoid saying that God was honored in the service – I question that as well. I do think, nevertheless, the liturgy and service were beautiful and did point to a transcendent God.
I agree that the liturgy is beautiful and point back to a time when the West was much more Christian than it currently is. There is certainly truth in much of what was said even if those saying it don’t actually believe it.
I enjoyed the scenes of Celtic fans singing “take your coronation and shove it up your Arse” and Liverpool fans booing the national anthem.
I have silver Maples and Britannias with Elizabeth on them. A bit of a macabre thought but I wonder if future coins with King Charles would essentially be “limited edition.”
The late Queen served her role in dignity and honor but failed to modernize the establishment. However, she was a hypocrite. She denied her younger sister to marry a divorced man while gave her blessing to Charles to marry a divorcee and ascend to the throne. Had King Edward not abdicated to marry an American divorcee, Elizabeth and Charles would not have been the head of Church of England and British royal monarchy. The British Commonwealth should have been abolished so that none of the British colonies will continue to financially support the monarchy. They should get full time jobs to live on. I do not support autocracy or aristocracy but have high respect for meritocracy. Not interested in their private lives or public work.
Edward didn’t have kids so Elizabeth still would have been Queen. I can’t believe they let someone as goofy as Charles be king though
“Anything on which your heart relies and depends, I say, that is really your God” (Martin Luther, Large Catechism).
Did he promise to always be Camilla’s tampon?
All hail King Tampon!
It was a glorious celebration of a ridiculous institution.
As a Republican (British vernacular):
– Privatize the Monarchy
– Divvy what belongs to the Royal Family (Balmoral) and what belongs to the Crown eventually deeded to the state (Buckingham, Crown Jewels, etc)
– Have Disney manage Buckingham palace as a “Disney London” and Windsor Castle as “Disney London West”.
– Hire Harry & NutMeg as King & Queen of Disney London (sweet revenge)
– Have the Royal Guards & Band perform every hour for the enjoyment of the park visitors.
– Have the Royal Coaches with white horses provide rides up and down the mall (Gold Coach for premium visitors only)
– Develop programs where you son or daughter can be king or queen for the day
– Hire the Princes Royal (Anne) as the gate keeper to monitor gate crasher (she swings a mighty sword)
– Develop three day passes (just like Disney World) to visit Buckingham, Windsor, Tower of London, & Hampton Court
– Have Charles & Camilla pay taxes like his Mummy did with offsets for making pop-up visits to state properties.
– The Keeper of Exchequer would use the above proceeds to plug the NHS shortfall and any other deficits in the budget Red Box.
I’m not saying it’s a good idea, but it’s better than Brexit.
The Anglican Church only exists because a king wanted a divorce. But sure, something something religious roots of civilization.
Lol but also kind of true…
“the pomp and pageantry of the kings of ancient Israel as recorded in the Hebrew Bible”
Probably more authentic in an Orthodox Church in the Middle East than a Protestant one in the UK…
You were “transixed” by the coronation? LOL I’ve got some paint you can watch dry.
Honestly Matthew sometimes you write the dumbest things on this blog. It’s one of the reasons I keep coming back. You’re so silly I can’t help but be amused.
I can say , that there was absolutely NO enthusiasm for this King; especially with all the trudgery and expense of this Coronation. The media may paint a picture of the masses cheering and rejoicing. But, outside of London; there was just indifference. Most think he is tone-deaf, trying too hard to be liked… and has no ‘energy’. A relic from the past; only useful as a ceremonial mascot/figure-head.