英国女王伊丽莎白二世2017年圣诞节致辞
编辑:给力英语 更新:2017年12月25日 作者：The Queen
调整语速:
The Queen’s Christmas message in 2017
Sixty years ago today, a young woman spoke about the speed of technological change as she presented the first television broadcast of its kind. She described the moment as a landmark.
QUEEN (in archival footage): Television has made it possible for many of you to see me in your homes on Christmas Day. My own family often gather round to watch television, as they are at this moment. And that is how I imagine you now.
Six decades on, the presenter has evolved somewhat, as has the technology she described. Back then, who could have imagined that people would one day be watching this on laptops and mobile phones, as some of you are today?
But I'm also struck by something that hasn't changed - that whatever the technology, many of you will be watching this at home.
We think of our homes as places of warmth, familiarity and love - of shared stories and memories - which is perhaps why, at this time of year, so many return to where they grew up. There is a timeless simplicity to the pull of home. For many, the idea of home reaches beyond a physical building, to a home town or city.
This Christmas, I think of London and Manchester, whose powerful identities shone through over the past 12 months, in the face of appalling attacks. In Manchester, those targeted included children who had gone to see their favourite singer.
A few days after the bombing, I had the privilege of meeting some of the young survivors and their parents.
I described that hospital visit as a privilege because the patients I met were an example to us all, showing extraordinary bravery and resilience. Indeed, many of those who survived the attack came together just days later for a benefit concert. It was a powerful reclaiming of the ground and of the city those young people call home.
We expect our homes to be a place of safety - sanctuary, even - which makes it all the more shocking when the comfort they provide is shattered. A few weeks ago, the Prince of Wales visited the Caribbean in the aftermath of hurricanes that destroyed entire communities.
And here, in London, who can forget the sheer awfulness of the Grenfell Tower fire? Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who died and those who lost so much, and we are indebted to members of the emergency services who risked their own lives this past year, saving others.
Many of them, of course, will not be at home today, because they are working to protect us. Reflecting on these events makes me grateful for the blessings of home and family and, in particular, for 70 years of marriage. I don't know that anyone had invented the term 'platinum' for a 70th wedding anniversary. When I was born, you weren't expected to be around that long.
Even Prince Philip has decided it's time to slow down a little, having, as he economically put it, done his bit. But I know his support and unique sense of humour will remain as strong as ever as we enjoy spending time this Christmas with our family, and look forward to welcoming new members into it next year.
In 2018, I will open my home to a different type of family, the leaders of the 52 nations of the Commonwealth, as they gather in the UK for a summit.
The Commonwealth has an inspiring way of bringing people together, be it through the Commonwealth Games, which begin in a few months' time on Australia's Gold Coast, or through bodies like the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra and Choir - a reminder of how truly vibrant this international family is.
Today, we celebrate Christmas, which, itself, is sometimes described as a festival of the home. Families travel long distances to be together.
Volunteers and charities, as well as many churches, arrange meals for the homeless and those who would otherwise be alone on Christmas Day. We remember the birth of Jesus Christ, whose only sanctuary was a stable in Bethlehem. He knew rejection, hardship and persecution.
And, yet, it is Jesus Christ's generous love and example which has inspired me through good times and bad. Whatever your own experience is this year, wherever and however you are watching, I wish you a peaceful and very happy Christmas.
六十年前的今天，一位年轻女性在发表第一个同类电视节目时谈到了技术变革的速度。 她把这一刻描述为一个里程碑。
QUEEN（档案镜头）：在圣诞节期间，电视让你们中的许多人能够在家中看到我。 我自己的家庭经常聚集在一起看电视，就像现在这样。 这就是我现在想象你的方式。
六十年来，主持人已经有所发展，她所描述的技术也是如此。 那么谁能想象一下，人们有一天会在笔记本电脑和手机上看到这个，就像今天的一些人一样？
但是，我也被一些没有改变的东西所震撼，不管技术如何，你们当中很多人都会在家看这个。
我们认为我们的家园是温暖，熟悉和爱的地方 - 分享故事和记忆 - 也许这就是为什么，每年的这个时候，这么多回到他们长大的地方。 有一个永恒的简单，拉回家。 对许多人来说，家庭的想法超越了实体建筑，到了家乡或城市。
在今年的圣诞节，我想到了伦敦和曼彻斯特，在过去的12个月里，他们的强大身份正在闪现，面对惊人的袭击。 在曼彻斯特，有针对性的包括去看他们最喜欢的歌手的孩子。
轰炸几天后，我有幸见到一些年轻的幸存者和他们的父母。
我把这次医院访视形容为一种特权，因为我遇到的病人是我们所有人的榜样，表现出非凡的勇气和韧性。 事实上，在袭击中幸存下来的许多人几天后才参加了一场音乐会。 这是年轻人称之为地上和城市的强大回报。
我们希望我们的家庭成为一个安全的地方 - 避难所，甚至 - 当他们所提供的舒适感破灭时，这一切就会更加令人震惊。 几个星期前，威尔斯亲王在飓风摧毁整个社区之后访问了加勒比。
而在伦敦，谁能忘记格伦费尔大厦火灾的可怕之处呢？ 我们的思想和祈祷是所有那些死去的人和那些损失惨重的人的，我们感谢过去一年中冒着生命危险的紧急服务的成员，拯救他人。
他们中的许多人当然今天不在家，因为他们正在努力保护我们。 反思这些事件让我感谢家庭和家庭的祝福，尤其是70年的婚姻。 我不知道是否有人在70周年结婚纪念日发明了“铂金”一词。 当我出生的时候，你不会有这么长的时间。
即使是菲利普王子已经决定，现在是时候放慢脚步，从经济角度来说，他已经做了一些事情。 但是我知道他的支持和独特的幽默感将会像以前一样强盛，因为我们喜欢和家人一起度过这个圣诞节，并且期待着明年的新成员加入。
2018年，当英国聚首英国首脑会议时，我将把自己的家乡打造成一个不同类型的家庭 - 英联邦52个国家的领导人。
英联邦有一种鼓舞人心的方式，通过在澳大利亚黄金海岸的几个月开始的英联邦运动会，或通过像英联邦青年管弦乐团和合唱团这样的机构来提醒人们，家庭是。
今天，我们庆祝圣诞节，这本身有时被形容为家庭的一个节日。 家庭长途跋涉到一起。
义工和慈善机构，以及许多教会，为无家可归者和那些在圣诞节当天独自一人的人安排饭菜。 我们记得耶稣基督的诞生，耶稣基督是伯利恒唯一的圣所。 他知道拒绝，困难和迫害。
然而，这正是耶稣基督慷慨的爱和榜样，激励我度过美好的时光和坏的时光。 无论你今年的经历是什么，无论你在哪里，无论你在看什么，我都祝你圣诞节平安快乐。
