Where do you think Great Britain will be in the next 2 years? What about the next 20? Or 2000? History is littered with nations that rise and fall. Even the mighty Roman Empire, which lasted more than a thousand years and stretched across continents, is now little more than a museum exhibit. Why would we think our own nation will last?
United Kingdom?
This year has exposed people’s fear of ‘losing their country’ or that their way of life is under threat. The irony of the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march this summer highlighted a deeply disunited kingdom. ‘Operation Raise the Colours’ has tried to ‘cover Britain in symbols of unity’ but there remains an uneasiness that some fear has been strained to breaking point.
Support for one’s country, celebrating our culture, and striving for unity can be good things, of course. But they are not where I put my hope. And neither should you.
Instead, I want to point you to a far better unity movement. It is also a kingdom, but outlasting and overthrowing empires, transforming cultures, and uniting people in a way no flag or politics ever could. It will outlast Great Britain too. It began 2000 years ago, at Christmas, and is still growing. Here’s what it looks like:
Eternal Kingdom
At Jesus’ birth, the angel announces he would be a King who “will reign…and of his kingdom there will be no end.” This isn’t a political promise but a spiritual one. The Christian’s hope is not in the endurance of any one nation, but in the eternal reign of Christ. Christmas ushers in this unending kingdom, the Church, with Jesus as her glorious King.
Universal Kingdom
Jesus’ kingdom transcends borders and culture. In the Christmas story, both local shepherds and wise men from distant lands gather to worship the Christ-King, united not by a flag, but by a person. One family, drawn from every tribe and tongue. Indeed, Jesus is “good news…for all people”.
We all must ‘migrate’ into his realm, the Church, our true and lasting home.
Righteous Kingdom
As Mary awaited the birth of Jesus, she sang of a King who raises the humble, feeds the hungry, and topples the proud (Luke 1:46–55). The prophet Isaiah said his kingdom would be upheld “with justice and righteousness” (Isaiah 9:7). We long for a country of justice and equality, but only Jesus can fulfil them.
Joyful Kingdom
Finally, the angel declared “good news of great joy” and the shepherds returned “glorifying and praising God.” Why? Because Jesus had come to save: the king who dies for his people, forgiving their sin, conquering evil and liberating them from death to live new life. This is unfathomable joy, this is stupendous glory, this is amazing love, and it can be yours too in Christ’s eternal, universal and righteous kingdom.
My invitation to you this Christmas is to put your hope in Jesus — come home to Church, and discover the joy of the only kingdom that can unite our people.