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A Christmas greeting

Chapter 6: HYMN FOR THE CORONATION
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About This Book

The essay offers a spirited reflection on the Christmas season, defending the traditional greeting against modern cynicism and urging readers to set aside private grief or quarrels to practice kindness, forgiveness, and small neighborly deeds. It acknowledges sorrow caused by war and loss while offering consolation that the departed may yet be near, and counsels cheerfulness as an ethical choice. It criticizes restless travel to continental resorts as a frivolous escape, praises old English Yuletide customs, and blends moral exhortation with patriotic imagery toward the horizon of a new year.

HYMN FOR THE CORONATION


Ruler of Empires, God of Perfect Love,
That wert, and art, and ever-more shalt be,—
Maker and Master of the worlds above,
Saviour of all who fix their hope on Thee,—
Hear us, great Lord of nations new and old,
Giver of blessings countless and untold,—
To-day before Thy Throne we pledge anew
Our England’s trust in all things high and true,
And with united hearts to Thee we bring
Him unto whom our loyal faith is due,—
God of our fathers! Guard and bless the King!
The country’s crown we set upon his brow,
With prayer, thanksgiving, and the sound of song;
Eternal King of kings, receive him now,
And fill his soul with power divine and strong;
Nerve Thou his hand unto the sceptre’s sway,
Guide Thou his steps in every noble way,
And let the grace of all things sweet and fair
Descend on Her whose spirit pure and rare
For happy years the nation’s pride hath been,
And now the nation’s crown and throne doth share;
God of our fathers! Guard and bless the Queen!
Lord of the Past and Future, let Thy light
Shine on this double crowning of our Land!
In Peace or War, O God defend the Right
And let our shield be still Thy sheltering Hand!
Hear and accept Thy grateful people’s praise
For all Thy mercies in the former days,—
For present joys, for blessings yet to be,
We humbly give the glory unto Thee,
And to Thy service we do consecrate
The Sovereigns of our Empire of the Sea!
God of our fathers! Guard and bless the State!
Long live our Emperor-King and Empress-Queen!
God save them from all evils near or far!
May golden years of happiest peace serene
Make bright the sway of their Imperial star!
Before high Heaven we swear to them our faith,
Honour and truth and loyalty till death!
Courage and chivalry are with us yet,—
God shall forget us all ere We forget!
Loud let our voices with the joy-bells ring,
To all the nations here together met;—
God be with England, and with England’s King!