May 11 – “She Will Be Led to the King . . .”

Why would we, here in Cor Unum Abbey, having embraced a simple life of fervent devotion, with hearts separated from pomp and circumstance, turn our focus to the ornamentation, the earthly riches and traditions, and the splendors of monarchical glory that comprised this coronation event? Here is reason, and good reason, we trust: if we would see our God and Savior as King and Lord, if we in the Abbey would ourselves give more attention to the majesty of our Master, we should both better know Him and more fully embrace our calling.

We must be careful here, however. There is a place where we do begin to see the wonders and mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, here and now and ours by right and privilege in Christ Jesus, and put off the responsibilities pertaining thereto.

We believe that on her Coronation Day, given all that she had lived to see in her family and in her father’s commitment, Elizabeth knew that the price of majesty would be exacting; having reigned for over a year before the day at hand, she had doubtless seen that it was not all dress up and fun, and certainly not luxurious. Surely there were days when she would have chosen other than to be awakened early, served her morning tea on a silver salver, brought up by liveried servants, with rich clothing selected for her to wear, and diamonds for adornment. Her first love, sartorially speaking, was a pair of jodhpurs, sturdy boots, a weatherproof jacket, and a riding crop.

“The King’s daughter is all glorious within; Her clothing is interwoven with gold. She will be led to the King in embroidered work; The virgins, her companions who follow her, Will be brought to You. They will be led forth with gladness and rejoicing; They will enter into the King’s palace.” (Psalm 45:13)

If, dear ones, if we did not awaken to this majesty in our own lives, this very morning, and as we made our own coffee or brewed our own tea, we fail of the nearness of relationship and the nearness of responsibility this day. Elizabeth II’s Coronation Day had a date, a dawning and a close, but she chose to live according to the symbols of God’s choosing and her own response and dedication. Other monarchs have not. Many believers in Jesus Christ have not. Yet here we are this morning, all glorious within, and ready, as Elizabeth is to this day, to display the glories of God as living sacrifices, which, as hers, is our daily worship.


Aisle Vault, Westminster Abbey
Aiden McRae Thompson
Flickr