We Have A Prince

Well, well, Kate had a boy. It seems the media has been obsessed with the Royal pregnancy. There are so many news organizations gather outside the hospital one wonders if there are any left to cover other stories, not only in the Commonwealth but any place else in the world. Not that long ago, I can remember Brits questioning the value of maintaining the monarchy. I found a 2012 blog on the cost of the monarchy. http://relentlesslife.wordpress.com/2012/04/15/the-true-cost-of-the-royal-family-explained/  At today’s conversion rate (1:1.54), the cost is in the neighborhood of $61.5 million USD. It works out to about 70 pence per Brit per year.

The blog goes on to compare the economic cost/benefit of the monarchy. It seems King George III got into a bit of financial embarrassment. The rental from his lands did not produce enough to pay his bills. He made a deal with Parliament. Parliament would receive the income from his lands in return for a fixed annual income and the absorption of his debts. Since then every royal family has had the same deal. The blog states, The cost to maintain the royal family today is £40 million pounds per year as we mentioned before. But the revenue paid to the UK from the Royal lands is 200 million. So £200 million in revenue subtract £40 million in salary costs equals £160 million pounds in profit. That’s right: The Great Britain earns 160 million pounds in profit, every year from the Royal Family. That is a very good cost/benefit ratio. The blog goes on to point out the income to the Commonwealth does not count the amount paid by tourists.

One reporter pointed out the birth of the new Prince insures the continuity of the monarchy into the 22^nd Century. No wonder folks in England are excited. The continuation of the monarchy means keeping taxes down and Yanks traversing the Pond to boost the economy. Another website reports (http://www.today.com/news/11-interesting-facts-about-duchess-kates-royal-baby-6C10703523), Economists say the royal baby will inject £240 million ($380 million) into the U.K. economy. That figure is based on people buying food and drinks for celebrations at home and in restaurants or pubs, as well as purchases and exports of souvenirs and memorabilia, toys, books and media, according to the Centre for Retail Research.

I remember, as a kid, watching the adventures of Bonnie Prince Charles on the Mickey Mouse Club. I thought it cool that he and I are about the same age. Sadly, over the years, the only thing we have in common is we have both lost about the same amount of hair from our heads.

There was no international press corps congregated outside the birth place of another Prince over 2,000 years ago. There was no town crier proclaiming the birth, only a host of angels had that role. Once people saw themselves as vassals of a sovereign god, the birth of the Prince revealed a new status for humanity as siblings of the Prince of Peace.

As a pastor, I soon learned that Advent and Christmas are not the times to challenge the cultural prostitution of the annual celebration of the birth of our true Prince. Having a few merchants in the congregation is was not in good taste to ask, “What is a merchant’s favorite hymn on Christmas Eve? Answer: What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

I was glad to see the Vacation Church School at the Sligo Presbyterian Church celebrating Christmas in July. Perhaps, separated from the usual seasonal trappings the joyous news, Mary Give Birth to a Prince, could truly be heard. Maybe it was more about the amazing gift we have received in Jesus than the number and expense of the temporal gifts we are given ostensibly from the Fat Man from the North.

Congratulations to Kate and William on the birth of the Prince of Cambridge. Thanks be to God for the birth of Jesus, Prince of Peace, Lord and Savior!