当前位置: Language Tips> 名人演讲

英国女王2013年圣诞致辞

2013-12-26 17:23

分享到

 

英国女王伊丽莎白二世在一年一度的圣诞节讲话中强调反思的重要性。女王表示在人生混乱的时候,有必要在发生大事的时候“停下来想一想”。同时,还公开了英国女王与三位皇位直接继承人的合影。

 

I once knew someone who spent a year in a plaster cast recovering from an operation on his back. He read a lot and thought a lot and felt miserable。

Later he realized this time of forced retreat from the world had helped him to understand the world more clearly。

We all need to get the balance right, between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock。

Be it through contemplation, prayer or even keeping a diary, many have found the practice of quiet personal reflection surprisingly rewarding, even discovering greater spiritual depth to their lives。

Reflection can take many forms. When families and friends come together at Christmas, it's often a time for happy memories and reminiscing. Our thoughts are with those we have loved who are no longer with us. We also remember those who through doing their duty cannot be at home for Christmas, such as workers in essential or emergency services。

And especially at this time of year, we think of the men and women serving overseas in our armed forces. We are forever grateful to all those who put themselves at risk to keep us safe。

Service and duty are not just the guiding principles of yesteryear. They have an enduring value which spans the generations。

I myself had cause to reflect this year, at Westminster Abbey, on my own pledge of service made in that great church on Coronation Day 60 years earlier。

The anniversary reminded me of the remarkable changes that have occurred since the coronation, many of them for the better. And of the things that have remained constant, such as the importance of family, friendship and good neighbourliness。

But reflection is not just about looking back. I and many others are looking forward to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year。

The baton relay left London in October and is now on the other side of the world on its way across 70 nations and territories before arriving in Scotland next summer. Its journey is a reminder that the Commonwealth can offer us a fresh view of life。

My son Charles summed this up at the recent meeting in Sri Lanka. He spoke of the Commonwealth's family ties that are a source of encouragement to many。

Like any family, there can be differences of opinion. But however strongly they're expressed, they are held within the common bond of friendship and shared experiences。

Here at home, my own family is a little larger this Christmas. As so many of you will know, the arrival of a baby gives everyone the chance to contemplate the future with renewed happiness and hope。

For the new parents, life will never be quite the same again. As with all who are christened, George was baptized into a joyful faith of Christian duty and service。

After the christening we gathered for the traditional photograph. It was a happy occasion, bringing together four generations。

In the year ahead, I hope you will have time to pause for moments of quiet reflection. As the man in the plaster cast discovered, the results can sometimes be surprising. For Christians, as for all people of faith, reflection, meditation and prayer help us to renew ourselves in God's love as we strive daily to become better people。

The Christmas message shows us that this love is for everyone. There is no one beyond its reach。

On the first Christmas in the fields above Bethlehem, as they sat in the cold of night watching their resting sheep, the local shepherds must have had no shortage of time for reflection。

Suddenly all this was to change. These humble shepherds were the first to hear and ponder the wondrous news of the birth of Christ. The first Noel, the joy of which we celebrate today。

I wish you all a very happy Christmas。

(视频来源:网易视频,编辑 Helen)

 

分享到

中国日报网英语点津版权说明:凡注明来源为“中国日报网英语点津:XXX(署名)”的原创作品,除与中国日报网签署英语点津内容授权协议的网站外,其他任何网站或单位未经允许不得非法盗链、转载和使用,违者必究。如需使用,请与010-84883561联系;凡本网注明“来源:XXX(非英语点津)”的作品,均转载自其它媒体,目的在于传播更多信息,其他媒体如需转载,请与稿件来源方联系,如产生任何问题与本网无关;本网所发布的歌曲、电影片段,版权归原作者所有,仅供学习与研究,如果侵权,请提供版权证明,以便尽快删除。

中国日报网双语新闻

扫描左侧二维码

添加Chinadaily_Mobile
你想看的我们这儿都有!

中国日报双语手机报

点击左侧图标查看订阅方式

中国首份双语手机报
学英语看资讯一个都不能少!

关注和订阅

本文相关阅读
人气排行
搜热词
 
 
精华栏目
 

阅读

词汇

视听

翻译

口语

合作

 

关于我们 | 联系方式 | 招聘信息

Copyright by chinadaily.com.cn. All rights reserved. None of this material may be used for any commercial or public use. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. 版权声明:本网站所刊登的中国日报网英语点津内容,版权属中国日报网所有,未经协议授权,禁止下载使用。 欢迎愿意与本网站合作的单位或个人与我们联系。

电话:8610-84883645

传真:8610-84883500

Email: languagetips@chinadaily.com.cn