King preaches universal values of faith amid Israel conflict

THE King has used his Christmas message to preach the “universal” values of Christians, Jews and Muslims “at a time of increasingly tragic conflict around the world”.

The King, in his second festive message, said that the “Abrahamic family of religions” all hold the same fundamental beliefs about imagining oneself “in the shoes of our neighbours, and to seek their good as we would our own”.

In a message delivered while the Israel-hamas conflict and the war in Ukraine continue to rage, he added: “I pray that we can also do all in our power to protect each other.” In the traditionally Christian television address, filmed at Buckingham Palace, the King urged the public to “protect the Earth and our natural world”, saying that honouring the “whole of creation” was central to religious belief.”

He thanked Britain’s “selfless army of volunteers” as the “essential backbone of society”, acknowledging those watching from home who are experiencing “real hardship” and proposing: “We need to build on existing ways to support others less fortunate than ourselves. Because out of God’s providence we are blessed with much, and it is incumbent on us to use this wisely.”

Recognising all those who have served others in his Coronation year, the King said that “honouring the whole of creation” as another act of service is “a manifestation of the divine”. In a call for peace, the King said: “At a time of increasingly tragic conflict around the world, I pray that we can also do all in our power to protect each other. The words of Jesus seem more than ever relevant: ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

For the second year, the King included other faiths in the message, opening with a line describing how many “great religions of the world” celebrated festivals with a special meal.

The King led nearly all of his family on an outing to the Christmas service at Sandringham yesterday.