The Quiet Queen - Bertha Of Kent

539–612

If you are reading this Christian book in English, you owe a great deal to Bertha. She wasn’t a preacher or a writer or an organizer—she just lived a life of faith that affected everyone around her, and it eventually changed the course of a nation.

A French princess who had learned Christianity in her family, probably from a devout grandmother, Bertha was given in marriage to the Saxon king, Aethelbert of Kent. Although he was not a Christian, it might have been part of the prenuptial agreement that he would allow his new queen to practice her Christian faith. In fact, when she moved to Kent, she brought along a priest, who set up services in Canterbury, in an old Christian mausoleum from Roman times.

It was the end of the sixth century, and Europe was a hodgepodge of religion and culture. Roman influence had ebbed, and various Germanic tribes with an assortment of pagan beliefs controlled the region. In 596, Pope Gregory sent a missions team to England, which was welcomed warmly by Bertha and her priest—and also by King Aethelbert, who had gained a positive impression of Christianity from his wife. The team set up in the Canterbury church and began evangelizing the territory. Five years later, the king himself was baptized, and many of his people with him. The Christian faith had a foothold in England that it would never lose (and in fact, that church in Canterbury continues to worship Christ to the present day).

Bertha’s quiet testimony had won her nation to Christ. Even the pope recognized her contribution, writing to her, “Your good deeds are known in various places. . . . Just as the expression of your Christianity has brought us great joy, may there be joy in heaven over the work you have yet to do.”

What effect are you having on your society—your family, your neighbors, your coworkers, maybe even your online friends? Can your quiet love and devotion draw them ever closer to the Savior?

Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:16