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

于许多人而言，剑桥大学国王学院的“九篇读经与圣诞颂歌庆典”教堂礼拜，象征着圣诞节的伊始。来自世界各地数百万人都会聆听这一盛典，它的序幕，将在一位合唱团男童领唱《昔日在大卫王城中》的第一段中拉开。

【2】"The priest who introduced this service to King's College chapel, exactly one hundred years ago, was Eric Milner-White. He had served as a military chaplain in the First World War. 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.

整整百年之前，是神父埃里克•米尔纳-怀特将这套庆典引进国王学院礼拜堂。第一次世界大战期间，他曾是一名随军牧师。就在停战协定签订的六周后，他希望用这样一套新的礼拜仪式，把和平和友善的精神，传递给那个年代正需要它们的人们。

【3】"Twenty eighteen has been a year of centenaries. The Royal Air Force celebrated its 100th anniversary with a memorable fly-past demonstrating a thrilling unity of purpose and execution. We owe them and all our Armed Services our deepest gratitude.

2018年，是百年纪念的一年。在这一年，英国皇家空军为庆祝诞生100周年，组织进行了一场值得纪念的飞行表演，展示出目标与执行的惊人一致。在此，对皇家空军与所有服务于我们的军队，致以最深切的感谢。

【4】"My father served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. He was a midshipman in HMS Collingwood at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. The British fleet lost 14 ships and 6,000 men in that engagement. My father wrote in a letter: 'How and why we were not hit beats me'. Like others, he lost friends in the war.

遥想第一次世界大战时，我的父亲在皇家海军服役。在1916年的日德兰半岛之战中，他是科林伍德皇家海军学院的一位候补少尉。那次战斗中，英国军队损失了14艘船，6000条鲜活的生命葬身大海。父亲在一封信中写道:“我甚至不知道，我们是怎样从枪林弹雨中生还的。”和其他很多人一样，在这场战争中，他也失去了很多朋友。

【5】"At Christmas, we become keenly aware of loved ones who have died, whatever the circumstances. But, of course, we would not grieve if we did not love.

在圣诞节阖家欢聚之时，无论何种情境，都让我们更为清晰地感受到亲人离去的痛楚。但如若心中无爱，自然也不会有悲伤。

【6】"Closer to home, it's been a busy year for my family, with two weddings and two babies, and another child expected soon. It helps to keep a grandmother well occupied. We have had other celebrations too, including the 70th birthday of The Prince of Wales.

说到我的家庭，今年的家事尤为忙碌。我们举办了两场婚礼，迎来两个婴儿，还有一个孩子即将诞生。这些都会让我这祖母继续忙碌。我们还举行了其他庆祝活动，包括威尔士亲王的70岁生日。

【7】"Some cultures believe a long life brings wisdom. I'd like to think so. 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. Even the power of faith, which frequently inspires great generosity and self-sacrifice, can fall victim to tribalism.

有些文化中认为，长寿者多智。我也乐于这么认为。也许认识到生命中那些令人困惑的悖论，就是那种智慧的一部分。例如人性本善，但亦有成为恶魔的天赋。信仰的力量也是如此，它能激发慷慨和伟大的牺牲精神，亦可让人臣服于部落主义的野蛮与残暴。

【8】"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.

但纵观这些年间诸事变迁。我的信仰，家庭和友谊不仅是我永恒的坚守，同时也是我的安抚和宽慰。

【9】"In April, the Commonwealth Heads of Government met in London. My father welcomed just eight countries to the first such meeting in 1948. Now the Commonwealth includes 53 countries with 2.4 billion people, a third of the world's population.

今年四月，我们举行了英联邦政府首脑会议，而我的父亲第一次召开这个会议时，还是1948年的伦敦，那时只有八个国家参与。现在英联邦已经拥有了53个联盟国家，有了24亿人民，相当于三分之一的世界人口。

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

英联邦的力量源于它所促进的情感纽带，也源于一个共同愿景，那就是生活在更美好、更和平的世界中。

【11】“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.

即使彼此间存在最根深蒂固的分歧，视对方为同侪、待他人以尊重永远是增进理解的第一步。

【12】"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.

事实上，今年在澳大利亚黄金海岸举行的英联邦运动会，就因为强调善意与相互尊重，而成为了众所周知的友好运动会。

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

圣诞节的故事仍保持着自己的魅力，它并未给我们的人生排忧解难。

【14】“Instead it's about the birth of a child and the hope that birth 2,000 years ago brought to the world. Only a few people acknowledged Jesus when he was born. Now billions follow him.

相反，故事所述的是一个新生儿的诞生。2000年前，他的诞生将希望给予全世界。耶稣基督在出生时少有认可，而如今，数十亿信徒追随于他。

【15】"I believe his message of peace on earth and goodwill to all is never out of date. It can be heeded by everyone; it's needed as much as ever.

我坚信，他在圣训中传递的和平和善意将永不过时。这份训诫被所有人聆听和铭记着，我们也一如既往地需要着它。

【16】"A very happy Christmas to you all."

祝愿你们所有人圣诞节快乐。