每年,我们亮灯庆祝圣诞的到来。光,不仅能带来节日气氛,还带来了希望。 Every year we herald the coming of Christmas by turning on the lights. And light does more than create a festive mood —light brings hope. 对于基督徒来说,耶稣是“世界之光”,可如今我们无法以往常的方式庆祝耶稣诞生。各种宗教和信仰的人们无法如愿庆祝他们的节日,例如逾越节,复活节,开斋节和光明节等节日。 但是,生活还要继续。 For Christians, Jesus is ‘the light of the world’, but we can’t celebrate his birth today in quite the usual way. People of all faiths have been unable to gather as they would wish for their festivals, such as Passover, Easter, Eid, and Vaisakhi. But we need life to go on. 上个月,温莎城堡上空烟火通明,印度教,锡克教以及耆那教庆祝排灯节,在这个需要社交隔离的时代,给我们带来了充满希望与团结的 欢乐时刻。 Last month, fireworks lit up the sky around Windsor, as Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, providing joyous moments of hope and unity — despite social distancing. 值得注意的是,虽然这一年让许多人不得不暂时分离,但这却让我们变得更加亲近。在整个英联邦地区,社区中的不少志愿者都在尽力帮助那些需要帮助的人,这让 我和我的家人备受鼓舞。 Remarkably, a year that has necessarily kept people apart has, in many ways, brought us closer. Across the Commonwealth, my family and I have been inspired by stories of people volunteering in their communities, helping those in need. 英国和世界各地的人们都勇敢地面对了这一年的挑战,我为这种沉着、不屈不挠的精神感到骄傲和感动。在这里,我特别要感谢我们的年轻人,感谢你们所发挥的作用。 In the United Kingdom and around the world, people have risen magnificently to the challenges of the year, and I am so proud and moved by this quiet, indomitable spirit. To our young people in particular I say thank you for the part you have played. 今年,我们在南丁格尔诞辰200周年之际庆祝了国际护士节。和玛丽·西科尔等其他护理先驱一样,南丁格尔为全世界点亮了希望之灯。 This year, we celebrated International Nurses’ Day, on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. As with other nursing pioneers like Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale shone a lamp of hope across the world. 在现代科学的惊人成就的支持下,我们的一线医护服务为我们照亮了这盏明灯。我对他们的感谢之情无以言表。我们继续被陌生人的善意所鼓舞,并从中得到安慰—— 即使在最黑暗的夜晚,新的黎明也将充满希望 。 Today, our front-line services still shine that lamp for us - supported by the amazing achievements of modern science - and we owe them a debt of gratitude. We continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers and draw comfort that - even on the darkest nights - there is hope in the new dawn . 耶稣在《良善的撒玛利亚人》这则寓言中提到了这一点。故事的主人公在被抢劫后露宿街头,然后被一个异教徒拯救。这个关于善行的故事如今依然意义非凡。善良的撒玛利亚人会 在社会上不断涌现,他们关心和尊重所有人,不分性别、种族或背景,这提醒我们:每个人在上帝眼中都是特殊和平等的。 Jesus touched on this with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The man who is robbed and left at the roadside is saved by someone who did not share his religion or culture. This wonderful story of kindness is still as relevant today. Good Samaritans have emerged across society showing care and respect for all, regardless of gender, race or background, reminding us that each one of us is special and equal in the eyes of God. 基督的训诫,包含着我们共同的愿景,所以一直是我的内心之光。 The teachings of Christ have served as my inner light, as has the sense of purpose we can find in coming together to worship. 今年十一月,我们纪念了一位无名英雄。无名阵亡将士之冢并没有大墓碑,但是进入西敏修道院的每一个人必在此留步,悼念这位在一战中阵亡的无名战士,为他舍身忘死献上敬意。 In November, we commemorated another hero – though nobody knows his name. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior isn’t a large memorial, but everyone entering Westminster Abbey has to walk around his resting place, honouring this unnamed combatant of the First World War — a symbol of selfless duty and ultimate sacrifice. 这位无名英雄并非唯一;他身后是千千万万和他一样,在我们的历史长河中舍己为人而不留名的好人。对我来说,这就是困境与变局中持久的希望之源。 The Unknown Warrior was not exceptional. That’s the point. He represents millions like him who throughout our history have put the lives of others above their own, and will be doing so today. For me, this is a source of enduring hope in difficult and unpredictable times. 当然,对很多人来说,每年的这个时候都会掺杂着悲伤:有人哀悼逝去的挚爱,有人思念无法相见的亲友;为了安全起见,一个简单的拥抱和牵手也无法实现。如果你正在经历这些,请记住 你并不孤单 。 Of course, for many, this time of year will be tinged with sadness: some mourning the loss of those dear to them, and others missing friends and family-members distanced for safety, when all they’d really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand. If you are among them, you are not alone , and let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers. 《圣经》讲述过星星指引牧羊人与三位智者前往耶稣诞生地的故事。 让圣诞之光——无私、爱与希望引导我们继续前进。 The Bible tells how a star appeared in the sky, its light guiding the shepherds and wise men to the scene of Jesus’s birth. Let the light of Christmas — the spirit of selflessness, love and above all hope — guide us in the times ahead. 带着这样的精神,我衷心地祝福你圣诞节快乐。 It is in that spirit that I wish you a very happy Christmas. 完整视频请关注 安尔法国际