Queen Elizabeth’s 2018 Christmas Speech

从1952年开始,伊丽莎白女王二世每年圣诞节当天都会向全世界发表一个圣诞致辞。  

Here is the full text of the Queen’s Christmas Day message:

(视频观看:BBC – https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-46680354/the-queen-s-christmas-message-2018-in-full)

(也可在youtube观看:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb2GKBajaYk)

“For
many, the service of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College,
Cambridge, is when
Christmas begins. Listened to by millions of people
around the world, it starts with a chorister singing the first verse of
Once in Royal David’s City.

“The priest who introduced this service to King’s College
chapel, exactly one hundred years ago, was Eric Milner-White. He had
served as a military chaplain in the First World War. Just six weeks
after the Armistice, he wanted a new kind of service which, with its
message of peace and goodwill, spoke to the needs of the times.

“Twenty
eighteen has been a year of centenaries. The Royal Air Force celebrated
its 100th anniversary with a memorable fly-past demonstrating a
thrilling unity of purpose and execution. We owe them and all our Armed
Services our deepest gratitude.

“My father served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. He
was a midshipman in HMS Collingwood at the Battle of Jutland in 1916.
The British fleet lost 14 ships and 6,000 men in that engagement. My
father wrote in a letter: ‘How and why we were not hit beats me’. Like
others, he lost friends in the war.

“At Christmas, we become keenly
aware of loved ones who have died, whatever the circumstances. But, of
course, we would not grieve if we did not love.

“Closer
to home, it’s been a busy year for my family, with two weddings and two
babies, and another child expected soon. It helps to keep a grandmother
well occupied. We have had other celebrations too, including the 70th
birthday of The Prince of Wales.

“Some cultures
believe a long life brings wisdom. I’d like to think so. Perhaps part of
that wisdom is to recognise some of life’s baffling paradoxes, such as
the way human beings have a huge propensity for good, and yet a capacity
for evil. Even the power of faith, which frequently inspires great
generosity and self-sacrifice, can fall victim to tribalism.

“But
through the many changes I have seen over the years, faith, family and
friendship have been not only a constant for me but a source of personal
comfort and reassurance.

“In April, the Commonwealth Heads of Government met in London. My
father welcomed just eight countries to the first such meeting in 1948.
Now the Commonwealth includes 53 countries with 2.4 billion people, a
third of the world’s population.

“Its strength lies in the bonds of affection it promotes, and a common desire to live in a better, more peaceful world. 

“Even
with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with
respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards
greater understanding.

“Indeed, the Commonwealth
Games, held this year on Australia’s Gold Coast, are known universally
as the Friendly Games because of their emphasis on goodwill and mutual
respect.

“The Christmas story retains its appeal since it doesn’t provide theoretical explanations for the puzzles of life. 

“Instead
it’s about the birth of a child and the hope that birth 2,000 years ago
brought to the world. Only a few people acknowledged Jesus when he was
born. Now billions follow him.

“I believe his message
of peace on earth and goodwill to all is never out of date. It can be
heeded by everyone; it’s needed as much as ever.

“A very happy Christmas to you all.”

—THE END—