It has become customary that Her Majesty & her husband, Prince Philip spend time at Sandringham House. Taking their Christmas break from just before Christmas in December until February.
Close family is invited to spend time there with Her Majesty & Prince Philip for a few days beforehand. On Christmas day they enjoy breakfast & giving of presents before walking to St Mary Magdalene’s church for a service on Christmas Day.
Find out more about the Sandringham Estate here.
Let’s pray:
‘There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said,
“Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
‘Glory to God in the heavenly heights, peace to all men and women on earth who please him.’
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child.’ Luke 2:8-12 MSG
Born as a baby into the world, we thank you, heavenly Father, for Jesus, the reason for the season of Christmas. Every year the story is the same and well known to many, but we pray for fresh revelation of Christ being born. May there be a greater significance of Jesus in the lives of the Royal family as they meet together.
The angels proclaimed peace to all men and women on earth who pleased him. Lord, may what the Royal family do be pleasing in your sight. Bring angels to the family in such a tangible way, like in the Christmas story, that they cannot help but proclaim your goodness and greatness to the people and nations they live and serve.
Lord, may the story of Jesus being born remain on their lips and in their hearts as they meet. Just as the shepherds told everyone they met about what they had seen and heard of Jesus, we pray that the Royal family too would exclaim to each other and to the world around them this news.
‘So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a monument. Then he told his family members, “Gather some stones.” So they gathered stones and piled them in a heap. Then Jacob and Laban sat down beside the pile of stones to eat a covenant meal. To commemorate the event, Laban called the place Jegar-sahadutha (which means “witness pile” in Aramaic), and Jacob called it Galeed (which means “witness pile” in Hebrew). Then Laban declared, “This pile of stones will stand as a witness to remind us of the covenant we have made today.” Genesis 31:45-48 NLT
As new members are added to the Royal family, either through birth or marriage, it grows. As history and stories are told, we pray for Her Majesty who leads this family in a unique way. We pray that the Royal family would be able to ‘gather some stones’ like a cairn to mark their times together in a remarkable way. Father God we ask that these would have your unique handprint on them and that they would be a visible reminder for the family now and the generations to come.
As they make look back on the year that has is rapidly passing by, we pray for encouragement through these memories. We pray particularly for the deeply private moments that the worlds’ media does not know about. We praise you for these times.
As they consider the year ahead with some happy events already anticipated, prepare the family for the expected and the unexpected events that will occur. Thank you that nothing is hidden from you, O God. You hold the future in your hands and the unknown is already known by you. Prepare their hearts and minds for any changes as a family. Just as cairns are markers on a journey, we ask you to mark the way ahead for them, leading them as a family.
‘Lord went ahead of the people. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night.’ Exodus 13:21 NLT
Jesus, guide the Royal family every step of their journey together we ask, in your precious glorious name,
Amen.
Related posts:
The Lord’s Prayer for the British Royal Family