PrintApril 29, 2011
Raise the Union, Jack!
A radiant bride, a glorious cathedral, a distinguished bishop, a cheering crowd, a beloved grandmother, a dashing prince... What's not to love about a royal wedding? Yes, please...God, save the Queen! Watching this brilliantly televised celebration could not help but bring tears to my eyes for all the patriotism and purity of the day. British folks are not of recent years prone to expressions of American-style flag waving or to stand for a patriotic sing-along. But this was different. Well-wishers and the merely curious lined the streets on a day that any Victorian-at-heart would sigh..."Oh, to be in England now that Spring is there."
And what a show it was indeed with all coming off without seemingly a single problem. The dignity of the occasion called for extremely low-key visibility of security even to the point of Prince William and Prince Harry riding in the same vehicle to the church. I am sure much holding of breath and nail biting was the order until all The Family were safely back home in the palace. How magnificent and how very reassuring that in this world of so many troubles and terrors there is still the ability to enjoy such time in security and reverence and appropriate patriotism.
When the royal "Defender of the Faith" stood clad in pale yellow perfection before the House of God to be greeted by a prince of the Church, I wanted to stand up and cheer! A breeze of fresh air wafted through my own little house "across the Pond" bringing with it a sense of relief that God is in His Heaven and all's right with the world. Gone were the snide remarks of understated British humor, gone were the pretentious affectations of disdain for the royal armed forces, gone even was the liberal media back-ground inane commentary. This was a moment for something Americans can only imagine: British Monarchy, a Head of State who is also the official earthly representation of a nation's creed of faith in the Holy Creator and the Holy Word of God. Eighty-five years young Queen Elizabeth is the symbol of a people who bows her knee before only one other Royal, ever. And that bowing occurs at the altar of worship; never, never before any other royal but the King of Heaven.
All this pomp and grand ado was not for some strategic political convening of nations or to celebrate any peace treaty of some proposed "two state solution." It was all to honor one of the very first of God's ordained establishments: the Home. The sacred union of one man and one woman before their Creator was today's world-wide focus. It is no wonder that the estate of Matrimony is preceded by the term "holy" for it is the holiest of times when a new marriage is launched. This is why a couple stands before the altar of sacrifice and worship. It is a sanctified pledge made publicly but truly made personally to God Himself.
Oh, that our own nation and the nations around the globe will pause to beseech a blessing upon these young people who hold such potential to bring so many blessings to the world in return. Perhaps this will be a new day for hope and dreams for our friends in the United Kingdom. In honor of the event and as a small wedding gift, the order came from our ship's captain..."Raise the Union Jack!" As First Mate, I hurried to carry out that order. In the blustery April, Atlantic winds that red, white, and blue flag unfurled with pride against a sapphire sky alongside her American Cousin "Old Glory".
No matter our differences, let's join together in celebration to "raise the union"...the union of our cousins across the sea for prosperity and security, the union of newlywed bliss and blessings, and the union of sacred homes in holy matrimony.
So, raise the union, jack. And may God save her Queen.
See also: Make Britain a Republic
See also: Make Britain a Republic
