For many, the service of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge is when Christmas begins.

对很多人而言，剑桥大学国王学院的《九篇读经与圣诞颂歌庆典》教堂礼拜标志着圣诞节的开始。

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.

它由一名合唱团成员带头从《大卫城中歌》的第一段唱起，全世界数百万人共同聆听。

chorister : /'kɒrɪstə/ 唱诗班歌手

The priest who introduced this service to King's College chapel, exactly one hundred years ago, was Eric Milner-White. 

百年前为国王学院教堂带来这项仪式的神父是艾瑞克·米尔纳-怀特。

He had served as a military chaplain in the World War I.

他在第一次世界大战期间曾担任随军牧师。

chaplain  /'tʃæplɪn/：（社团、军队、医院等的）牧师，神父

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.

在停战六周之后，他希望用这样一项传播和平与善意的、全新的礼拜活动来与当时的时代所需进行对话。

armistice /'ɑːmɪstɪs/：停战

2018 has been a year of centenaries. 

2018年是一个百年纪念之年。

The Royal Air Force celebrated its 100th anniversary with a memorable fly-past demonstrating a thrilling unity of purpose and execution.

皇家空军用一场令人印象深刻的空中表演来庆祝它的100周年纪念日，展示出了惊人的目标与执行力。

We owe them and all our Armed Services our deepest gratitude.

我们对他们和其他所有武装部队，都应抱有最深切的感谢。

My father served in the Royal Navy during the World War I. 

我的父亲也曾经在一战期间于皇家海军服役。

He was a midshipman in HMS Collingwood at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. 

1916年日德兰战役中，他是皇家海军科林伍德海事学院的一名准尉。

The British fleet lost 14 ships and 6,000 men in that engagement.

在那场战事中，英国舰队损失了14艘舰艇和6000名士兵。

My father wrote in a letter: 'How and why we were not hit beats me'. 

我的父亲在一封信里写道：“我无法解释我们如何、又为什么没被击中。”

Like others, he lost friends in the war.

和其他士兵一样，他在那场战争中失去了很多朋友。

At Christmas, we become keenly aware of loved ones who have died, whatever the circumstances.

在圣诞期间，无论是在什么样的情境之下，我们都会格外怀念那些已经逝去的、我们深爱的人。

But, of course, we would not grieve if we did not love.

但确实，从未爱过，就不知何为哀悼。

Closer to home, it's been a busy year for my family, with two weddings and two babies, and another child expected soon. 

对皇室家庭来讲，过去这一年非常忙碌。我们举办了两场婚礼，迎来了两个孩子，另外还有一个孩子也即将诞生。

It helps to keep a grandmother well occupied. 

这让身为祖母的我感觉非常充实。

We have had other celebrations too, including the 70th birthday of The Prince of Wales.

我们也庆祝了其他一些喜事，其中包括威尔士王子（即查尔斯）的70岁生日。

Some cultures believe a long life brings wisdom. I'd like to think so. 

一些文化中的人相信，长寿令人智慧。我也愿意相信这一点。

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.

也许这种智慧的一部分，是能使人意识到生命中那些令人困惑的悖论：比如人为什么会在如此“向善”的同时竟也拥有“恶”的能耐。

paradox /'pærədɒks/：悖论

propensity /prə'pensɪtɪ/：倾向；习性

Even the power of faith, which frequently inspires great generosity and self-sacrifice, can fall victim to tribalism.

而即使那些常常能启发出无私行为和自我牺牲的信仰力量，竟也可能屈从于宗族主义。

tribalism /'traɪbəlɪz(ə)m/：部落意识

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.

但经历了这些年的种种变迁，我的信仰、家庭和友谊，不仅是我生命里的恒定价值，也给我带来慰藉与心安的源动力。

In April, the Commonwealth Heads of Government met in London. 

今年四月，英联邦各国元首会议在伦敦齐聚。

My father welcomed just eight countries to the first such meeting in 1948. 

1948年我父亲第一次举办该会议的时候，只有8个国家出席。

Now the Commonwealth includes 53 countries with 2.4 billion people, a third of the world's population.

而现在我们有53个国家参与其中，代表着24亿人口，也就是全世界三分之一的人口。

Its strength lies in the bonds of affection it promotes, and a common desire to live in a better, more peaceful world.

它的力量来源于我们彼此之间的感情纽带，以及生活在一个更好、更安宁世界之中的共同愿望。

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.

即便存在根深蒂固的分歧，只要我们能互相尊重，将对方作为平等的人来对待，这就是向着加深理解所迈出的成功一步。

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.

的确，今年在澳大利亚黄金海岸举办的英联邦运动会，被普遍看做是一场“友谊的盛会”，也正是得益于他们的善意和相互尊重。

The Christmas story retains its appeal since it doesn't provide theoretical explanations for the puzzles of life. 

圣诞的故事并没有为生命的谜题带来理论解释，但这也正是其魅力所在。

Instead it's about the birth of a child and the hope that birth 2,000 years ago brought to the world.

它讲述了一个新生儿的诞生，以及他2000年前的诞生为这个世界带来的希望。

Only a few people acknowledged Jesus when he was born. 

当耶稣降生的时候，只有少数人承认他。

Now billions follow him.

而现在，数十亿人追随他。

I believe his message of peace on earth and goodwill to all is never out of date. 

我坚信他所传递的和平与善良永远也不会过时。

It can be heeded by everyone. It's needed as much as ever.

它存在于每个人心中，并且永远被需要。

A very happy Christmas to you all.

祝大家圣诞快乐。