英文全文(中文附后)：
The Queen’s Christmas Message 2018
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 100 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.
2018 has been a year of centenaries. The Royal Air Force celebrated its 100thanniversary 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 70thbirthday 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 meetings 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.
中文译文
对很多人而言，剑桥大学国王学院的 《九道日课和圣诞颂歌》是圣诞节的开始。全世界成百上千万人聆听的这首圣诞颂歌，开头是唱诗班吟唱《大卫城中歌》的第一节。
整整100年以前，一战期间担任过随军牧师的埃里克·米尔纳·怀特把这首颂歌引入国王学院礼拜堂。停战后仅六周，他希望有一种新的圣诞节圣诗礼拜，发出符合时代需求的和平与友善的讯息。
2018年有很多百年纪念日。英国皇家空军举行100周年庆典，战机飞越白金汉宫，展示目标与执行力的完美统一。我们向空军和所有军人致以最深切的谢意。
一战期间父亲曾在皇家海军服役过。1916年的日德兰战役期间，他担任科林伍德号船员。该次交战中英国舰队损失14艘船舰和6,000名船员。父亲在一封信中写道：”为什么我们的船只没有被击中？我很费解。”和其他人一样，他在战争中失去了很多朋友。
每年圣诞节，无论情况如何，我们都会深切缅怀已经逝去的所爱之人。当然，如果没有爱过，我们就不会感到悲伤。
2018年对英国王室而言，也是个忙碌的一年。今年我们举办了两场婚礼，迎来两个新生儿，还有一个即将出生。这些都足够让一个祖母忙的了。我们还有其他庆典，包括威尔士亲王70岁寿辰。
有些文化相信：长寿带来智慧。我希望如此。或许部分原因在于智慧意味着承认人生一些令人费解的悖论，例如人类有强烈向善倾向的同时，也有作恶的能力。即便经常激发巨大慷慨和自我牺牲的信仰力量，也能成为部落主义的受害者。
然而，多年来我目睹的诸多变化让我认识到：对我而言，信仰，家庭和友谊不仅是常数，还是幸福和信念的源泉。
今年4月，英联邦成员国政府首脑齐聚伦敦。1948年，我父亲只迎来了8个国家。如今，英联邦拥有53个成员国，包括24亿人口，占世界人口的三分之一。
英联邦的力量在于它倡导的感情连接，以及共同渴望生活在一个更好、更和平的世界里。即便意见分歧非常大，尊重他人和把他人作为人类同胞对待，永远是迈向更好理解的第一步。
的确，今年在澳大利亚黄金海岸举行的英联邦运动会，在全世界范围内被誉为“友好运动会”，因为它强调友善和相互尊重。
圣诞节的故事始终保持着吸引力，因为它不提供对人生难题的理论解释。它关乎一个婴儿的降生，以及2000年前他的降生带给这个世界的希望。耶稣诞生时，只有几个人认可他。如今，几十亿人追随他。
我相信，他发出的世界和平和待所有人友善的信号从不过时。人们不仅能注意到这种信号，而且始终都需要它。
祝福所有人圣诞快乐。