第一篇:英女王2016圣诞致辞中英双语演讲稿
英女王2016圣诞致辞
There was a time when British Olympic medal winners became household names because there were so few of them.曾几何时,英国奥运奖牌获得者家喻户晓,因为他们凤毛麟角。
But the 67 medals at this year's Games in Rio and 147 at the Paralympics meant that the GB medallists' reception at Buckingham Palace was a crowded and happy event.而在今年的里约奥运会上,我们斩获67枚奖牌,残奥会147枚,这让白金汉宫款待大不列颠奖牌得主们的招待宴变得拥挤而欢乐。
Throughout the Commonwealth there were equally joyful celebrations.Grenada, the Bahamas, Jamaica and New Zealand won more medals per head of population than any other countries.英联邦各处亦欢欣庆祝,格林纳达、巴哈马群岛、牙买加、新西兰比其他任何国家的人均奖牌数都多。
Many of this year's winners spoke of being inspired by athletes of previous generations.今年许多胜利者谈到,自己受到前辈的鼓舞。
Inspiration fed their aspiration;and having discovered abilities they scarcely knew they had, these athletes are now inspiring others.心受鼓舞令人志存高远,这些运动员发现了自己都难以置信的能力,现在他们正鼓舞着他人。A few months ago, I saw inspiration of a different kind when I opened the new Cambridge base of the East Anglian Air Ambulance, where Prince William works as a helicopter pilot.几个月前,我受到另一种鼓舞,我为东盎格鲁救援飞行队在剑桥的新基地剪彩,威廉王子是那里的直升机飞行员。It was not hard to be moved by the dedication of the highly skilled doctors, paramedics and crew, who are called out on average five times a day.训练有素的医生、医疗护理人员和机组成员,他们平均每天出勤五次,人们很容易就被他们的奉献精神感召。
But to be inspirational you don't have to save lives or win medals.但要鼓舞他人,你并不非定要救死扶伤或赢取奖牌。
I often draw strength from meeting ordinary people doing extraordinary things: volunteers, carers, community organisers and good neighbours;unsung heroes whose quiet dedication makes them special.我常常从普通人身上汲取力量,他们平凡却做着不平凡的事:志愿者、老人看护、社区组织者和友善的邻居,他们是无名的英雄,默默无闻的奉献让他们与众不同。unsung:未被赞颂的
They are an inspiration to those who know them, and their lives frequently embody a truth expressed by Mother Teresa, from this year Saint Teresa of Calcutta.他们鼓舞着认识他们的人,他们的生活每每体现着特雷莎修女表达的真理,今年特雷莎封圣为“加尔各答的圣特雷莎”。
She once said: 'Not all of us can do great things.But we can do small things with great love'.她曾说:“并非每个人都能做出伟大的事情,但我们可以带着伟大的爱做一些小事。” This has been the experience of two remarkable organisations, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and The Prince's Trust, which are 60 and 40 years old this year.These started as small initiatives but have grown beyond any expectations, and continue to transform young people's lives.有两个出色的组织正是如此,它们是今年六十周年的爱丁堡公爵奖和四十周年的王子信托基金。它们从小做起,如今却超乎预料,并继续改变着年轻人的生活。To mark my 90th birthday, volunteers and supporters of the six hundred charities of which I have been patron came to a lunch in The Mall.为纪念我九十岁生日,来自600个慈善团体的志愿者和支持者来林荫大道参加午宴,我一直以来资助这些团体。patron:赞助人
Many of these organisations are modest in size but inspire me with the work they do.许多机构并不大,它们做的事却鼓舞着我。
From giving friendship and support to our veterans, the elderly or the bereaved;to championing music and dance;providing animal welfare;or protecting our fields and forests, their selfless devotion and generosity of spirit is an example to us all.它们把友谊和支持给予退伍老兵、老年人和丧亲之人;它们赞助音乐和舞蹈;它们提供动物福利;它们保护我们的土地和森林;它们无私的奉献和慷慨的精神堪为典范。veterans:老兵
bereaved:失去亲人的人
When people face a challenge they sometimes talk about taking a deep breath to find courage or strength.In fact, the word 'inspire' literally means 'to breathe in'.遭遇挑战的人们有时会说,深吸一口气,拿出勇气和力量。事实上,“鼓舞”的字面意思就是“吸气”。
But even with the inspiration of others, it's understandable that we sometimes think the world's problems are so big that we can do little to help.可即便受到他人鼓舞,我们有时还是发现,这个世界的问题太大,我们所做的不过杯水车薪,这是可以理解的。
On our own, we cannot end wars or wipe out injustice, but the cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of goodness can be bigger than we imagine.就我们自己而言,我们无法结束战争,扫除不公,可成千上万微不足道的善行累加起来,能产生我们想象不到的巨大影响。
At Christmas, our attention is drawn to the birth of a baby some two thousand years ago.It was the humblest of beginnings, and his parents, Joseph and Mary, did not think they were important.圣诞之际,我们又想起两千年前诞生的一个婴儿。他出生极为卑微,父母约瑟和玛丽并不觉得自己有多重要。
Jesus Christ lived obscurely for most of his life, and never travelled far.He was maligned and rejected by many, though he had done no wrong.耶稣基督一生大部分时光都籍籍无名,未能行走天下。尽管他并没无过错,但还是屡遭诋毁和排挤。
malign [mə'lain]:诽谤、污蔑
And yet, billions of people now follow his teaching and find in him the guiding light for their lives.而如今,数十亿人追随他的教诲,从他身上发现生命中引路的明灯。
I am one of them because Christ's example helps me see the value of doing small things with great love, whoever does them and whatever they themselves believe.我就是其中一员,因为基督之范让我看到以大爱行小善的价值,无论是谁,无论他信仰什么。The message of Christmas reminds us that inspiration is a gift to be given as well as received, and that love begins small but always grows.圣诞传达的精神就是让我们记住,对心的启迪和鼓舞是一个礼物,既可接纳也可赠予,而爱起于微末,却总能茁壮成长。
I wish you all a very happy Christmas.祝各位圣诞快乐。
第二篇:英女王2015圣诞致辞
一年一度最美英音:英女王2015圣诞致辞
一年一度最美的英音又来了!女王2015圣诞演讲来袭!
每年圣诞节发布电视演讲是女王的传统……
在讲话里,她用最适中的语速,最皇室范的英音对全世界阐述自己对今年世界大事的见解。通常,一般皇室讲话的讲稿都要政府审查通过,唯独女王的圣诞讲话不用经过政府,一般都是女王亲自动笔写,女王自己的文风也很赞是不是!今年女王提到了小公主,提到了法国的恐怖袭击,提到了二战胜利70周年,还有她对来年的祝福…… 大家打开视频播放…看着下面的双语全文…学习全世界最美的英音教材~ At this time of year, few sights evoke more feelings of cheer and goodwill than the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree.每年此时,没有什么情景比一棵圣诞树上闪烁的灯光更让人感到欢乐祥和。
The popularity of a tree at Christmas is due in part to my great-great grandparents, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.After this touching picture was published, many families wanted a Christmas tree of their own, and the custom soon spread.人们对圣诞树的喜爱要部分归功于我的曾曾曾祖父母——维多利亚女王和阿尔伯特亲王。这张温馨的图片公布后,很多家庭都想要一棵自己的圣诞树,这一习俗也很快普及开来。
In 1949, I spent Christmas in Malta as a newly-married naval wife.We have returned to that island over the years, including last month for a meeting of Commonwealth leaders;and this year I met another group of leaders: The Queen's Young Leaders, an inspirational group, each of them a symbol of hope in their own Commonwealth communities.1949年,初为军嫂的我在马耳他度过圣诞节。多年以来,我们多次回到马耳他岛,上个月还在那里召开英联邦领导人会议。今年我会晤了另一批领导人,“女王青年领袖”是一个鼓舞人心的团体,每个人都是各自英联邦社区的希望。
Gathering round the tree gives us a chance to think about the year ahead--I am looking forward to a busy 2016, though I have been warned I may have Happy Birthday sung to me more than once or twice.聚在圣诞树旁,让我们有机会展望来年。我盼望着2016年忙忙碌碌,尽管有人说,我可能不止一次甚至两次听到生日歌。
译者注:2016年是伊丽莎白女王九十岁生日,届时多场庆祝活动。
It also allows us to reflect on the year that has passed, as we think of those who are far away or no longer with us.Many people say the first Christmas after losing a loved one is particularly hard.But it's also a time to remember all that we have to be thankful for.圣诞树让我们回首过去的一年,于是我们想到了那些远离和已经离开我们的人。很多人说失去平生所爱后的第一个圣诞节是最艰难的,可此时也该想想我们要感恩的人。
It is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year, but the Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope, often read at Christmas carol services: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”.今年,世界不得不面对诸多黑暗时刻,这是事实。可《约翰福音》有一句充满希望的话这样说,圣诞赞歌中常常朗诵,“光明照亮了黑暗,黑暗却无法蒙蔽光明。” One cause for thankfulness this summer was marking 70 years since the end of the Second World War.On VJ Day, we honoured the remaining veterans of that terrible conflict in the Far East, as well as remembering the thousands who never returned.今年夏天纪念二战结束七十周年是一件值得感恩的事。在对日作战胜利日,我们给在远东那场可怕战役中的在世老兵们授勋,缅怀数千名没有回到祖国的牺牲者。
The procession from Horse Guards Parade to Westminster Abbey must have been one of the slowest ever, because so many people wanted to say “thank you” to them.从骑兵卫队场到威斯敏斯特宫的队伍大抵是行进最慢的一次,太多的人想对他们说一声“谢谢”。At the end of that war, the people of Oslo began sending an annual gift of a Christmas tree for Trafalgar Square.It has 500 light bulbs and is enjoyed not just by Christians but by people of all faiths, and of none.At the very top sits a bright star, to represent the Star of Bethlehem.战争结束后,奥斯陆人民每年向特拉法加广场赠送一棵圣诞树。树上挂着500个灯泡,不仅基督徒喜爱它,无论何种信仰或有无信仰的人们都喜爱它。在树顶有一颗明星,它代表着“伯利恒之星”。译者注:所谓“伯利恒之星”是《圣经》中记载的一颗奇特天体。据说,在耶稣诞生时,有三个博士在东方观察到一颗属于“犹太人之王”的星,前来耶路撒冷拜见,就在博士们前往附近的伯利恒寻找时,先前看见的那颗星,又忽然出现在前方,引领他们来到耶稣降生之处。后世科学家推测这可能是金星和木星交汇。
The custom of topping a tree also goes back to Prince Albert's time.For his family's tree, he chose an angel, helping to remind us that the focus of the Christmas story is on one particular family.这一风俗也可追溯到阿尔伯特亲王时代。他把一个天使放在家里的圣诞树顶,提醒我们圣诞节纪念了一个家庭的故事。For Joseph and Mary, the circumstances of Jesus's birthwere far from ideal, but worse was to come as the family was forced to flee the country.It's no surprise that such a human story still captures our imagination and continues to inspire all of us who are Christians, the world over.对于约瑟和玛丽而言,耶稣出生在马厩,这样的环境远非理想,可更糟糕的是这家人还被迫逃离故土。这个人伦故事依旧捕捉着我们的想象力,继续激励着全世界所有的基督徒,这并不令人惊讶。
Despite being displaced and persecuted throughout his short life, Christ's unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence but simply that we should love one another.基督短暂的一生中颠沛流离、饱受迫害,可他一如既往倡导的不是复仇和暴力,而是人人相爱。Although it is not an easy message to follow, we shouldn't be discouraged;rather, it inspires us to try harder: to be thankful for the people who bring love and happiness into our own lives, and to look for ways of spreading that love to others, whenever and wherever we can.尽管践行不易,我们也不要灰心。这鼓励着我们要加倍努力,感谢那些给我们生命带来爱和幸福的人,并想方设法将那份爱传递给他人——无论何时,无论何处。
One of the joys of living a long life is watching one's children, then grandchildren, then great-grandchildren, help decorate the Christmas tree.And this year my family has a new member to join in the fun.长寿的喜悦之一是儿孙绕膝。先是儿女,然后是孙辈,现在有重孙辈帮我装扮圣诞树。今年,我家又有一位新成员共享天伦。
Albert's tree first appeared, although of course electric lights have replaced the candles.自维多利亚和阿尔伯特的圣诞树出现以来,传统的圣诞装饰变化甚微,当然,电灯取代了蜡烛。There's an old saying that “it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness”.老话说,“点燃烛火胜过咒骂黑暗”。
There are millions of people lighting candles of hope in our world today.今天,我们的世界,成百上千万的人点燃希望的烛火。
Christmas is a good time to be thankful for them, and for all that brings light to our lives.值此圣诞佳节,向他们表示感谢,对所有给我们生活带来光明的人表示感谢。I wish you a very happy Christmas.愿诸君圣诞快乐。
ppeared, although of course electric lights have replaced the candles.自维多利亚和阿尔伯特的圣诞树出现以来,传统的圣诞装饰变化甚微,当然,电灯取代了蜡烛。There's an old saying that “it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness”.老话说,“点燃烛火胜过咒骂黑暗”。
There are millions of people lighting candles of hope in our world today.今天,我们的世界,成百上千万的人点燃希望的烛火。
Christmas is a good time to be thankful for them, and for all that brings light to our lives.值此圣诞佳节,向他们表示感谢,对所有给我们生活带来光明的人表示感谢。I wish you a very happy Christmas.愿诸君圣诞快乐。
第三篇:英女王圣诞致辞
Christmas Broadcast 2002 In 2002 The Queen celebrated her Golden Jubilee(50 years as Queen).She also lost her mother and sister within a few weeks of each other.The Queen's Christmas Broadcast in 2002 reflected on the celebrations which had taken place around the UK and Commonwealth, and looked forward to the challenges of the future.As I look back over these past twelve months, I know that it has been about as full a year as I can remember.But Christmas itself still remains a time for reflection and a focus of hope for the future.All great religions have such times of renewal, moments to take stock before moving on to face the challenges which lie ahead.Many of you will know only too well from your own experience, the grief that follows the death of a much loved mother or sister.Mine were very much part of my life and always gave me their support and encouragement.But my own sadness was tempered by the generous tributes that so many of you paid to the service they gave to this country and the wider Commonwealth.At such a difficult time this gave me great comfort and inspiration as I faced up both to my own personal loss and to the busy Jubilee summer ahead.Anniversaries are important events in all our lives.Christmas is the anniversary of the birth of Christ over two thousand years ago, but it is much more than that.It is the celebration of the birth of an idea and an ideal.In a different way I felt that the Golden Jubilee was more than just an anniversary.The celebrations were joyous occasions, but they also seemed to evoke something more lasting and profoundtheir leadership and example, their achievements in science, the arts and many other fields.These celebrations also gave opportunities to recognise the valuable work undertaken by so many people in service of their communities.It was a time to remind ourselves, as the Christmas story does every year, that we must never forget the plight of the disadvantaged and excluded, that we must respond to the needs of those who may be in distress or despair.Our modern world places such heavy demands on our time and attention that the need to remember our responsibilities to others is greater than ever.It is often difficult to keep this sense of perspective through the ups and downs of everyday lifeboth in war, and as they help to build a lasting peace in troublespots across the globe.None of this can be achieved without paying a price.I know that all our thoughts at this time are with the families who are suffering the pain of bereavement.All those who have recently lost a close relative or friend will know how difficult Christmas can be.These individual Servicemen and women are our neighbours and come from our own towns and villages;from every part of the country and from every background.The process of training within the Navy, the Army and the Air Force has moulded them together into disciplined teams.They have learnt to take responsibility and to exercise judgement and restraint in situations of acute stress and danger.They have brought great credit to themselves and to our country as a whole.I had an opportunity recently at the Barracks to meet some of those who played their part with such distinction in the Iraq operations.I was left with a deep sense of respect and admiration for their steadfast loyalty to each other and to our nation.I believe there is a lesson for us all here.It is that each of us can achieve much more if we work together as members of a team.The Founder of the Christian Faith himself chose twelve disciples to help him in his ministry.I was reminded of the importance of teamwork as I presented, for the first time last summer, The Queen's Awards for Voluntary Service by groups within the community.I have been struck by how often people say to me that they are receiving their award on behalf of a team and that they do not deserve to be singled out.This annual award recognises the team rather than the individual.In this country and throughout the Commonwealth there are groups of people who are giving their time generously to make a difference to the lives of others.As we think of them, and of our Servicemen and women far from home at this Christmas time, I hope we all, whatever our faith, can draw inspiration from the words of the familiar prayer: “Teach us good Lord To serve thee as thou deservest;To give, and not to count the cost;To fight, and not to heed the wounds;To toil, and not to seek for rest;To labour, and not to ask for any reward;Save that of knowing that we do thy will.” It is this knowledge which will help us all to enjoy the Festival of Christmas.A happy Christmas to you all.Christmas Broadcast 2007 The Queen's Christmas Broadcast of 2007 focused on supporting the disadvantaged as well as family members at Christmas.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 new-born 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 societyCanada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore-are currently serving in Afghanistan.The debt of gratitude owed to these young men and women, and to their predecessors, is indeed profound.It is sixty years since the Commonwealth was created and today, with more than a billion of its members under the age of 25, the organisation remains a strong and practical force for good.Recently I attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago and heard how important the Commonwealth is to young people.New communication technologies allow them to reach out to the wider world and share their experiences and viewpoints.For many, the practical assistance and networks of the Commonwealth can give skills, lend advice and encourage enterprise.It is inspiring to learn of some of the work being done by these young people, who bring creativity and innovation to the challenges they face.It is important to keep discussing issues that concern us all – there can be no more valuable role for our family of nations.I have been closely associated with the Commonwealth through most of its existence.The personal and living bond I have enjoyed with leaders, and with people the world over, has always been more important in promoting our unity than symbolism alone.The Commonwealth is not an organisation with a mission.It is rather an opportunity for its people to work together to achieve practical solutions to problems.In many aspects of our lives, whether in sport, the environment, business or culture, the Commonwealth connection remains vivid and enriching.It is, in lots of ways, the face of the future.And with continuing support and dedication, I am confident that this diverse Commonwealth of nations can strengthen the common bond that transcends politics, religion, race and economic circumstances.We know that Christmas is a time for celebration and family reunions;but it is also a time to reflect on what confronts those less fortunate than ourselves, at home and throughout the world.Christians are taught to love their neighbours, having compassion and concern, and being ready to undertake charity and voluntary work to ease the burden of deprivation and disadvantage.We may ourselves be confronted by a bewildering array of difficulties and challenges, but we must never cease to work for a better future for ourselves and for others.I wish you all, wherever you may be, a very happy Christmas.Christmas Broadcast 2010
Over four hundred years ago, King James the Sixth of Scotland inherited the throne of England at a time when the Christian Church was deeply divided.Here at Hampton Court in 1604, he convened a conference of churchmen of all shades of opinion to discuss the future of Christianity in this country.The King agreed to commission a new translation of the Bible that was acceptable to all parties.This was to become the King James or Authorized Bible, which next year will be exactly four centuries old.Acknowledged as a masterpiece of English prose and the most vivid translation of the scriptures, the glorious language of this Bible has survived the turbulence of history and given many of us the most widely-recognised and beautiful descriptions of the birth of Jesus Christ which we celebrate today.The King James Bible was a major cooperative endeavour that required the efforts of dozens of the day’s leading scholars.The whole enterprise was guided by an interest in reaching agreement for the wider benefit of the Christian Church, and to bring harmony to the Kingdoms of England and Scotland.Four hundred years later, it is as important as ever to build communities and create harmony, and one of the most powerful ways of doing this is through sport and games.During this past year of abundant sporting events, I have seen for myself just how important sport is in bringing people together from all backgrounds, from all walks of life and from all age-groups.In the parks of towns and cities, and on village greens up and down the country, countless thousands of people every week give up their time to participate in sport and exercise of all sorts, or simply encourage others to do so.These kinds of activity are common throughout the world and play a part in providing a different perspective on life.Apart from developing physical fitness, sport and games can also teach vital social skills.None can be enjoyed without abiding by the rules, and no team can hope to succeed without cooperation between the players.This sort of positive team spirit can benefit communities, companies and enterprises of all kinds.As the success of recent Paralympics bears witness, a love of sport also has the power to help rehabilitate.One only has to think of the injured men and women of the Armed Forces to see how an interest in games and sport can speed recovery and renew a sense of purpose, enjoyment and comradeship.Right around the world, people gather to compete under standard rules and, in most cases, in a spirit of friendly rivalry.Competitors know that, to succeed, they must respect their opponents;very often, they like each other too.Sportsmen and women often speak of the enormous pride they have in representing their country, a sense of belonging to a wider family.We see this vividly at the Commonwealth Games, for example, which is known to many as the Friendly Games and where I am sure you have noticed that it is always the competitors from the smallest countries who receive the loudest cheers.People are capable of belonging to many communities, including a religious faith.King James may not have anticipated quite how important sport and games were to become in promoting harmony and common interests.But from the scriptures in the Bible which bears his name, we know that nothing is more satisfying than the feeling of belonging to a group who are dedicated to helping each other:
‘Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should to do to you, do ye even so to them’.I wish you, and all those whom you love and care for, a very happy Christmas.
第四篇:2015英国女王圣诞致辞中英双语
2015英国女王圣诞致辞
At this time of year, few sights evoke more feelings of cheer and goodwill than the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree.每年此时,没有什么情景比一棵圣诞树上闪烁的灯光更让人感到欢乐祥和。
The popularity of a tree at Christmas is due in part to my great-great grandparents, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.After this touching picture was published, many families wanted a Christmas tree of their own, and the custom soon spread.人们对圣诞树的喜爱要部分归功于我的曾曾曾祖父母——维多利亚女王和阿尔伯特亲王。这张温馨的图片公布后,很多家庭都想要一棵自己的圣诞树,这一习俗也很快普及开来。
In 1949, I spent Christmas in Malta as a newly-married naval wife.We have returned to that island over the years, including last month for a meeting of Commonwealth leaders;and this year I met another group of leaders: The Queen's Young Leaders, an inspirational group, each of them a symbol of hope in their own Commonwealth communities.1949年,初为军嫂的我在马耳他度过圣诞节。多年以来,我们多次回到马耳他岛,上个月还在那里召开英联邦领导人会议。今年我会晤了另一批领导人,“女王青年领袖”是一个鼓舞人心的团体,每个人都是各自英联邦社区的希望。
Gathering round the tree gives us a chance to think about the year ahead--I am looking forward to a busy 2016, though I have been warned I may have Happy Birthday sung to me more than once or twice.聚在圣诞树旁,让我们有机会展望来年。我盼望着2016年忙忙碌碌,尽管有人说,我可能不止一次甚至两次听到生日歌。
It also allows us to reflect on the year that has passed, as we think of those who are far away or no longer with us.Many people say the first Christmas after losing a loved one is particularly hard.But it's also a time to remember all that we have to be thankful for.圣诞树让我们回首过去的一年,于是我们想到了那些远离和已经离开我们的人。很多人说失去平生所爱后的第一个圣诞节是最艰难的,可此时也该想想我们要感恩的人。
It is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year, but the Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope, often read at Christmas carol services: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”.今年,世界不得不面对诸多黑暗时刻,这是事实。可《约翰福音》有一句充满希望的话这样说,圣诞赞歌中常常朗诵,“光明照亮了黑暗,黑暗却无法蒙蔽光明。”
One cause for thankfulness this summer was marking 70 years since the end of the Second World War.On VJ Day, we honoured the remaining veterans of that terrible conflict in the Far East, as well as remembering the thousands who never returned.今年夏天纪念二战结束七十周年是一件值得感恩的事。在对日作战胜利日,我们给在远东那场可怕战役中的在世老兵们授勋,缅怀数千名没有回到祖国的牺牲者。The procession from Horse Guards Parade to Westminster Abbey must have been one of the slowest ever, because so many people wanted to say “thank you” to them.从骑兵卫队场到威斯敏斯特宫的队伍大抵是行进最慢的一次,太多的人想对他们说一声“谢谢”。
At the end of that war, the people of Oslo began sending an annual gift of a Christmas tree for Trafalgar Square.It has 500 light bulbs and is enjoyed not just by Christians but by people of all faiths, and of none.At the very top sits a bright star, to represent the Star of Bethlehem.战争结束后,奥斯陆人民每年向特拉法加广场赠送一棵圣诞树。树上挂着500个灯泡,不仅基督徒喜爱它,无论何种信仰或有无信仰的人们都喜爱它。在树顶有一颗明星,它代表着“伯利恒之星”。
译者注:所谓“伯利恒之星”是《圣经》中记载的一颗奇特天体。据说,在耶稣诞生时,有三个博士在东方观察到一颗属于“犹太人之王”的星,前来耶路撒冷拜见,就在博士们前往附近的伯利恒寻找时,先前看见的那颗星,又忽然出现在前方,引领他们来到耶稣降生之处。后世科学家推测这可能是金星和木星交汇。
The custom of topping a tree also goes back to Prince Albert's time.For his family's tree, he chose an angel, helping to remind us that the focus of the Christmas story is on one particular family.这一风俗也可追溯到阿尔伯特亲王时代。他把一个天使放在家里的圣诞树顶,提醒我们圣诞节纪念了一个家庭的故事。
For Joseph and Mary, the circumstances of Jesus's birthwere far from ideal, but worse was to come as the family was forced to flee the country.It's no surprise that such a human story still captures our imagination and continues to inspire all of us who are Christians, the world over.对于约瑟和玛丽而言,耶稣出生在马厩,这样的环境远非理想,可更糟糕的是这家人还被迫逃离故土。这个人伦故事依旧捕捉着我们的想象力,继续激励着全世界所有的基督徒,这并不令人惊讶。
Despite being displaced and persecuted throughout his short life, Christ's unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence but simply that we should love one another.基督短暂的一生中颠沛流离、饱受迫害,可他一如既往倡导的不是复仇和暴力,而是人人相爱。
Although it is not an easy message to follow, we shouldn't be discouraged;rather, it inspires us to try harder: to be thankful for the people who bring love and happiness into our own lives, and to look for ways of spreading that love to others, whenever and wherever we can.尽管践行不易,我们也不要灰心。这鼓励着我们要加倍努力,感谢那些给我们生命带来爱和幸福的人,并想方设法将那份爱传递给他人——无论何时,无论何处。
One of the joys of living a long life is watching one's children, then grandchildren, then great-grandchildren, help decorate the Christmas tree.And this year my family has a new member to join in the fun.长寿的喜悦之一是儿孙绕膝。先是儿女,然后是孙辈,现在有重孙辈帮我装扮圣诞树。今年,我家又有一位新成员共享天
第五篇:英女王2015圣诞致辞(英语版)
英女王2015圣诞致辞
At this time of year, few sights evoke more feelings of cheer and goodwill than the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree.The popularity of a tree at Christmas is due in part to my great-great grandparents, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.After this touching picture was published, many families wanted a Christmas tree of their own, and the custom soon spread.In 1949, I spent Christmas in Malta as a newly-married naval wife.We have returned to that island over the years, including last month for a meeting of Commonwealth leaders;and this year I met another group of leaders: The Queen's Young Leaders, an inspirational group, each of them a symbol of hope in their own Commonwealth communities.Gathering round the tree gives us a chance to think about the year ahead--I am looking forward to a busy 2016, though I have been warned I may have Happy Birthday sung to me more than once or twice.It also allows us to reflect on the year that has passed, as we think of those who are far away or no longer with us.Many people say the first Christmas after losing a loved one is particularly hard.But it's also a time to remember all that we have to be thankful for.It is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year, but the Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope, often read at Christmas carol services: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”.One cause for thankfulness this summer was marking 70 years since the end of the Second World War.On VJ Day, we honoured the remaining veterans of that terrible conflict in the Far East, as well as remembering the thousands who never returned.The procession from Horse Guards Parade to Westminster Abbey must have been one of the slowest ever, because so many people wanted to say “thank you” to them.At the end of that war, the people of Oslo began sending an annual gift of a Christmas tree for Trafalgar Square.It has 500 light bulbs and is enjoyed not just by Christians but by people of all faiths, and of none.At the very top sits a bright star, to represent the Star of Bethlehem.The custom of topping a tree also goes back to Prince Albert's time.For his family's tree, he chose an angel, helping to remind us that the focus of the Christmas story is on one particular family.For Joseph and Mary, the circumstances of Jesus' birthwere far from ideal, but worse was to come as the family was forced to flee the country.It's no surprise that such a human story still captures our imagination and continues to inspire all of us who are Christians, the world over.Despite being displaced and persecuted throughout his short life, Christ's unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence but simply that we should love one another.Although it is not an easy message to follow, we shouldn't be discouraged;rather, it inspires us to try harder: to be thankful for the people who bring love and happiness into our own lives, and to look for ways of spreading that love to others, whenever and wherever we can.One of the joys of living a long life is watching one's children, then grandchildren, then great-grandchildren, help decorate the Christmas tree.And this year my family has a new member to join in the fun.The customary decorations have changed little in the years since that picture of Victoria and Albert's tree first appeared, although of course electric lights have replaced the candles.There's an old saying that “it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness”.There are millions of people lighting candles of hope in our world today.Christmas is a good time to be thankful for them, and for all that brings light to our lives.I wish you a very happy Christmas!