The Queen's Christmas message for 2012

The Queen's Christmas message 2012

This past year has been one of great celebration for many. The enthusiasm which greeted the Diamond Jubilee was, of course, especially memorable for me and my family.

过去的一年对很多人来说都是值得庆祝的一年。当然，对于我和我的家人来说，登基60周年钻石纪念日的热情庆祝尤其值得纪念。

It was humbling that so many chose to mark the anniversary of a duty which passed to me 60 years ago. People of all ages took the trouble to take part in various ways and in many nations. But perhaps most striking of all was to witness the strength of fellowship and friendship among those who had gathered together on these occasions.

如此多的人选择庆祝我继承女王使命六十周年，我感到十分惶恐。各个国家，各个年龄段的人不辞烦劳，以各种形式参与庆祝。然而，最让人印象深刻的，是看到在这些场合聚集在一起的人身上友谊的力量。

Prince Philip and I were joined by our family on the River Thames as we paid tribute to those who have shaped the United Kingdom's past and future as a maritime nation, and welcomed a wonderful array of craft, large and small, from across the Commonwealth.

我和菲利普王子，同我们的家人一道，在泰晤士河上向那些塑造了大不列颠王国的历史和未来、让这个国家成为海上大国的人致敬，也欢迎了从英联邦各地驶来的优秀的大小船队。

On the barges and the bridges and the banks of the river there were people who had taken their places to cheer through the mist, undaunted by the rain. That day there was a tremendous sense of common determination to celebrate, triumphing over the elements.

在船上、在桥上、在河的两岸，人们不顾下雨天气，在薄雾中欢呼。那一天，人们怀着共同的、强烈的庆祝的的决心，这一决心战胜了其他阻碍的因素。

That same spirit was also in evidence from the moment the Olympic flame arrived on these shores. The flame itself drew hundreds and thousands of people on its journey around the British Isles, and was carried by every kind of deserving individual, many nominated for their own extraordinary service.

同样的精神也在奥运圣火到达英国各地时显露出来。传递的圣火吸引了大不列颠群岛各地成百上千的人们，各行各业各种配得上当火炬手的人手持奥运火种，他们中的很多人都因杰出的奉献而获得提名。

As London hosted a splendid summer of sport, all those who saw the achievement and courage at the Olympic and Paralympic Games were further inspired by the skill, dedication, training and teamwork of our athletes. In pursuing their own sporting goals, they gave the rest of us the opportunity to share something of the excitement and drama.

今年夏天，伦敦主办了空前的体育盛事。看到了在奥运会、残奥会比赛上健儿们的成就和勇气，人们也都为我们健儿们的运动技巧、献身精神、刻苦训练和团队精神所感动。运动员们在追求自己在体育上的目标的同时，也给了我们这些不在场上的人分享激动，以及分享跌宕起伏的比赛的机会。

We were reminded, too, that the success of these great festivals depended to an enormous degree upon the dedication and effort of an army of volunteers. Those public-spirited people came forward in the great tradition of all those who devote themselves to keeping others safe, supported and comforted.

我们也不会忘记，这些盛事之所以能够顺利举办，在很大程度上要归功于军人和志愿者们的奉献和努力。这些人一心为了大众，保持着伟大的传统，奉献自己，保护他人安全，给予他人支持，带给他人舒适。

For many, Christmas is also a time for coming together. But for others, service will come first. Those serving in our armed forces, in our emergency services and in our hospitals, whose sense of duty takes them away from family and friends, will be missing those they love.

对于很多人来说，圣诞也是团聚的日子。然而，还有一些人却把为国家服务放在第一位。他们在我们的武装部队服役，为人们提供紧急服务，还有的在医院工作。责任感让他们离开家人朋友，在圣诞节，他们会想念他们所爱的人。

And those who have lost loved ones may find this day especially full of memories. That's why it's important at this time of year to reach out beyond our familiar relationships to think of those who are on their own.

还有那些痛失爱人的人，这天对他们来说尤其充满回忆。因此，在一年中的这个时节，跳出熟悉的圈子，为这些独自一人过节的人考虑也十分重要。

At Christmas I am always struck by how the spirit of togetherness lies also at the heart of the Christmas story. A young mother and a dutiful father with their baby were joined by poor shepherds and visitors from afar. They came with their gifts to worship the Christ child. From that day on he has inspired people to commit themselves to the best interests of others.

圣诞节时，我总会惊讶地发现，团结精神也是圣诞故事的核心。年轻的母亲和富有责任感的父亲同孩子，以及贫穷的牧羊人、远方来的游客，带着礼物一道瞻仰上帝之子。上帝之子从那天起就鼓励人们为他人行善。

This is the time of year when we remember that God sent his only son 'to serve, not to be served'. He restored love and service to the centre of our lives in the person of Jesus Christ.

在一年的这个时节，我们会想起，上帝将他唯一的儿子送去奉献，而非送去享受服务。他以耶稣基督之名重新在我们生活的中心建立起爱和奉献。

It is my prayer this Christmas Day that His example and teaching will continue to bring people together to give the best of themselves in the service of others.

我在圣诞节祈祷，祈祷耶稣基督的榜样和教诲会继续让人们团结在一起，让人们尽自己所能为他人服务。

The carol, In The Bleak Midwinter, ends by asking a question of all of us who know the Christmas story, of how God gave himself to us in humble service: 'What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part'. The carol gives the answer 'Yet what I can I give him - give my heart'.

颂歌“荒凉之冬”在歌的末尾问我们，谁知道上帝谦卑地侍奉我们的圣诞故事：“如此平凡的我，能给予他什么呢？如果我是牧羊人，我会带给他一只羊；如果我是智者，我会奉献我的智慧”。圣歌给出了回答“但此时，我所能给予他的，只能是我的心。”

I wish you all a very happy Christmas.

祝愿所有人圣诞快乐。