Queen gives 50th televised Christmas message

By Tariq Panja, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS





In this photo released Monday, Dec. 24, 2007, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II delivers her Christmas Day message for broadcast on television and the Internet on Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2007, at Buckingham Palace in London, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007. (AP Photo/PA, Steve Parsons)

LONDON - The Queen used her 50th televised Christmas message Tuesday to urge people to spare a thought for the vulnerable and disadvantaged living on the edge of society.

"Each one of us can also help by offering a little time, a talent or a possession, and taking a share in the responsibility for the well-being of those who feel excluded," she said in the 15-minute recorded speech.

The Queen said that she had used the opportunity of her 50th broadcast to reflect on changes that had taken in place in society, as old and new footage of the Queen delivering her annual messages were spliced together.

Wearing the same three-stringed pearl necklace as she did in her first broadcast in 1957, the Queen, 81, who last week became Britain's oldest ever reigning monarch, said family values are as important today as they ever were.

"In my experience, the positive value of a happy family is one of the factors of human existence that has not changed," she said. "The immediate family of grandparents, parents and children, together with their extended family, is still the core of a thriving community."

She said in modern society, however, it is not possible for everyone to enjoy the full benefits of "living in a civilized and law-abiding community."


"For these people, the modern world can seem a distant and hostile place," she said. "It is all too easy to 'turn a blind eye,' 'to pass by on the other side,' and leave it to experts and professionals. All the great religious teachings of the world press home the message that everyone has a responsibility to care for the vulnerable."

On Tuesday, the Queen kept with tradition and attended a church service with members of her close family at St. Mary Magdalene Church, near her country home in Sandringham, Norfolk.

Flanked by granddaughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, daughters of her son Prince Andrew, the Queen was greeted by around 600 well-wishers before the service.

The Queen, who is head of Britain's armed forces, also used her speech to pay tribute to British military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and their fallen comrades.

"For their families, Christmas will bring back sad memories, and I pray that all of you, who are missing those who are dear to you, will find strength and comfort in your families and friends," she said, as footage showing the unveiling of a new armed forces memorial in October was broadcast.

The monarch's Christmas address is a tradition that began with her grandfather, King George V, who delivered the first one in 1932.

-

The following is the full text of the Queen's Christmas Day message:

"One of the features of growing old is a heightened awareness of change.

To remember what happened 50 years ago means that it is possible to appreciate what has changed in the meantime. It also makes you aware of what has remained constant.

In my experience, the positive value of a happy family is one of the factors of human existence that has not changed.

The immediate family of grandparents, parents and children, together with their extended family, is still the core of a thriving community.

When Prince Philip and I celebrated our diamond wedding last month, we were much aware of the affection and support of our own family as they gathered round us for the occasion.

Now today, of course, marks the birth of Jesus Christ. Among other things, it is a reminder that it is the story of a family; but of a family in very distressed circumstances.

Mary and Joseph found no room at the inn; they had to make do in a stable, and the newborn Jesus had to be laid in a manger. This was a family which had been shut out.

Perhaps it was because of this early experience that, throughout his ministry, Jesus of Nazareth reached out and made friends with people whom others ignored or despised.

It was in this way that he proclaimed his belief that, in the end, we are all brothers and sisters in one human family.

The Christmas story also draws attention to all those people who are on the edge of society - people who feel cut off and disadvantaged; people who, for one reason or another, are not able to enjoy the full benefits of living in a civilized and law-abiding community.

For these people the modern world can seem a distant and hostile place.

It is all too easy to 'turn a blind eye', 'to pass by on the other side', and leave it to experts and professionals.

All the great religious teachings of the world press home the message that everyone has a responsibility to care for the vulnerable.

Fortunately, there are many groups and individuals, often unsung and unrewarded, who are dedicated to ensuring that the 'outsiders' are given a chance to be recognized and respected.

However, each one of us can also help by offering a little time, a talent or a possession, and taking a share in the responsibility for the well-being of those who feel excluded.

And also today I want to draw attention to another group of people who deserve our thoughts this Christmas.

We have all been conscious of those who have given their lives, or who have been severely wounded, while serving with the armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The dedication of the National Armed Forces Memorial was also an occasion to remember those who have suffered while serving in these and every other place of unrest since the end of the Second World War.

For their families, Christmas will bring back sad memories, and I pray that all of you, who are missing those who are dear to you, will find strength and comfort in your families and friends.

A familiar introduction to an annual Christmas carol service contains the words: 'Because this would most rejoice his heart, let us remember, in his name, the poor and the helpless, the cold, the hungry, and the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn, the lonely and the unloved.'

Wherever these words find you, and in whatever circumstances, I want to wish you all a blessed Christmas." 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What have we done lately for the unfortunate people? What have you done wherever you are? Here is one of my favourite songs from John Lennon. Peace on Earth!

Tile :John Lennon - Happy Christmas (War Is Over)
This is lyrics from www.lyrics007.com

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over over
If you want it
War is over
Now... 



Post Note: Let's wish that the war of any kind would be over soon!













arrow
arrow
    全站熱搜

    Julia1492 發表在 痞客邦 留言(1) 人氣()