The Queen's Christmas message for 2014

In the ruins of the old Coventry cathedral is a sculpture of a man and a woman reaching out to embrace each other. The sculptor was inspired by the story of a woman who crossed Europe on foot after the war to find her husband.

在位于英国中部的考文垂大教堂旧址前，树立着一尊雕像，雕像是一男一女突破重围拥抱在一起。这尊雕塑的创作灵感源自在第一次世界大战中横穿欧洲前来寻夫的一位妇女的故事。

Casts of the same sculpture can be found in Belfast and Berlin, and it is simply called Reconciliation.

同样的雕像，也出现在北爱尔兰首府贝尔法斯特和德国柏林，人们将雕像命名为“和解”。

Reconciliation is the peaceful end to conflict, and we were reminded of this in August when countries on both sides of the first world war came together to remember in peace.

“和解”是冲突的终结，今年8月，第一次世界大战的各方共同聚集在一起，共同祭奠战争中的逝者，共襄当下的和平。

The ceramic poppies at the Tower of London drew millions, and the only possible reaction to seeing them and walking among them was silence. For every poppy a life; and a reminder of the grief of loved ones left behind.

为此，在伦敦泰晤士北岸的伦敦塔古堡下，种植了数以百万计的陶瓷罂粟花。当每个人徜徉其间的时候，我们唯一能做的是沉默、凝视。因每一株罂粟花，都代表着一个在战争中逝去的生命，同时，也昭示着战争给他们所爱的人留下的悲伤。

No one who fought in that war is still alive, but we remember their sacrifice and indeed the sacrifice of all those in the armed forces who serve and protect us today.

参与过那场战争的人，现在已经全部离世。但是，我们会记住他们做出的贡献，以及现役军人们为保卫和平所做出的贡献。

In 1914, many people thought the war would be over by Christmas, but sadly by then the trenches were dug and the future shape of the war in Europe was set.

在1924年，很多人都认为，这场欧洲历史上破坏性最强的战争之一会在圣诞节时告以终结。不幸的是，这个良愿未得实现。

But, as we know, something remarkable did happen that Christmas, exactly a hundred years ago today.

但是，我们都知道，在那一年的圣诞节，就在一百年前的今天，一些值得让我们纪念的事情发生了。

Without any instruction or command, the shooting stopped and German and British soldiers met in no man’s land. Photographs were taken and gifts exchanged. It was a Christmas truce.

在没有接到任何指令的情况下，德国和英国士兵突然停止互相开枪，离开自己的战壕，互相握手、交换圣诞礼物。一百年前的今天，成为了值得铭记的“一战圣诞停火日”。

Truces are not a new idea. In the ancient world a truce was declared for the duration of the Olympic Games and wars and battles were put on hold.

在此之后，同样的“休战”也屡次发生在自古以来的奥林匹克比赛中。

Sport has a wonderful way of bringing together people and nations, as we saw this year in Glasgow when over 70 countries took part in the Commonwealth Games.

运动就是拥有一种与生俱来的将人与人、种族与种族凝聚在一起的力量。正如今年在格拉斯哥的英联邦运动会上，来自70个国家的运动员参与其中。

It is no accident that they are known as the Friendly Games. As well as promoting dialogue between nations, the Commonwealth Games pioneered the inclusion of para-sports within each day’s events.

如往常的国际赛事一样，这届运动会成为了一届友好的比赛。每一天的赛事，都超越了比赛本身，成为了增进不同国家人民沟通交流的平台。

As with the Invictus Games that followed, the courage, determination and talent of the athletes captured our imagination as well as breaking down divisions.

在此后的残疾人比赛中，更是如此。残疾人运动员身上散发出来的勇气、决心、才华都超越了我们的想象，也冲破了种族的藩篱。

The benefits of reconciliation were clear to see when I visited Belfast in June. While my tour of the set of Game Of Thrones may have gained most attention, my visit to the Crumlin Road Gaol will remain vividly in my mind.

“和解”的好处是显而易见的。今年6月我访问北爱尔兰首府贝尔法斯特时，可能我探访《权利的游戏》剧组是最引人关注的行程，但是，事实上，参观克拉姆林监狱是那次出访过程中给我留下最深印象的地方。

What was once a prison during the Troubles is now a place of hope and fresh purpose; a reminder of what is possible when people reach out to one another, rather like the couple in the sculpture.

这个旧时的监狱，现在已经成为了一个充满希望和新生的地方。克拉姆林监狱的存在，提醒我们时刻铭记人们彼此和解的益处，正如我前面提及的“和解”雕塑一样。

Of course, reconciliation takes different forms. In Scotland after the referendum many felt great disappointment, while others felt great relief; and bridging these differences will take time.

当然了，和解的方式不尽相同。在苏格兰独立公投之后，很多人失望，也有很多人觉得是一种解放。要调和这种人与人思维的隔阂，尚需时间。

Bringing reconciliation to war or emergency zones is an even harder task, and I have been deeply touched this year by the selflessness of aid workers and medical volunteers who have gone abroad to help victims of conflict or of diseases like Ebola, often at great personal risk.

相比之下，要在战争中取得和解，或要在应对突发状况的时候达成和解，就更难了。今年，在埃博拉疫情发生的时候，来自全球各地的救援人员和医疗志愿者们身上体现出来的那种无私和大爱，深深打动了我。

For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the prince of peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life.

今天，我们一起来庆祝耶稣基督这位和平之君的诞生，对于我来说，是一种强烈的鼓舞和新的生命之锚。

A role model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing. Christ’s example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people, of whatever faith or none.

作为和解和饶恕的标杆，耶稣基督满怀慈爱、接纳和治愈的能力，向你和我伸出了他的手。耶稣基督以他自己向人类彰显了尊贵和荣耀。

Sometimes it seems that reconciliation stands little chance in the face of war and discord. But, as the Christmas truce a century ago reminds us, peace and goodwill have lasting power in the hearts of men and women.

在战争和纷扰中，达成和解常常显得是那么的难。但是，一个世纪前发生的“一战圣诞停火日”向人们昭示出，和平和良愿在人们心底拥有着亘古不变的力量。

On that chilly Christmas Eve in 1914 many of the German forces sang Silent Night, its haunting melody inching across the line.

在1914年那个寒风凌冽的平安夜，德国士兵唱出的那一曲《平安夜》的旋律，还久久地回荡在西线的上空。

That carol is still much-loved today, a legacy of the Christmas truce, and a reminder to us all that even in the unlikeliest of places hope can still be found.

这首赞美诗今天仍然广为流传，同“一战圣诞停火日”的传奇故事一起，成为我们在最不可能发生和解的地方去寻找和解的信心和力量。

A very happy Christmas to you all.

祝普天下所有的人，圣诞快乐！