Every year we herald the coming of Christmas by turning on the lights. And light does more than create a festive mood—light brings hope.

　　每年我們都開燈宣告圣誕節的到來。光不僅營造出節日的氣氛，還帶來希望。

　　For Christians, Jesus is ‘the light of the world’, but we can’t celebrate his birth today in quite the usual way. People of all faiths have been unable to gather as they would wish for their festivals, such as Passover, Easter, Eid, and Vaisakhi. But we need life to go on. Last month, fireworks lit up the sky around Windsor, as Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, providing joyous moments of hope and unity—despite social distancing.

　　對基督徒來說，耶穌即“世上的光”，但今天我們卻無法用通常的方式慶賀其生辰。所有的信徒現在已經都不能像以前的方式歡聚一堂，慶祝這些節日，比如逾越節、復活節、開齋節和豐收節。但是，生活仍要繼續。上個月，印度教徒、錫克教徒和耆那教徒慶祝Diwali（排燈節）時，煙花照亮了溫莎附近的上空。盡管有社交距離的限制，依然使人歡樂、充滿希望。

　　Remarkably, a year that has necessarily kept people apart has, in many ways, brought us closer. Across the Commonwealth, my family and I have been inspired by stories of people volunteering in their communities, helping those in need.

　　特別是，這一年，人們不得不分開，在許多方面卻又讓人們更接近。我和家人都受到那些整個英聯邦扶危濟困的志愿者的故事所鼓舞。

　　In the United Kingdom and around the world, people have risen magnificently to the challenges of the year, and I am so proud and moved by this quiet, indomitable spirit. To our young people in particular I say thank you for the part you have played.

　　在英國以及世界各地，人們奮起迎接這一年的挑戰。我為這種鎮定自若、不屈不撓的精神所感動，并為之驕傲。特別是我們的年輕人，我要為你們的貢獻說一聲謝謝。

　　This year, we celebrated International Nurses’ Day, on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. As with other nursing pioneers like Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale shone a lamp of hope across the world. Today, our front-line services still shine that lamp for us - supported by the amazing achievements of modern science - and we owe them a debt of gratitude. We continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers and draw comfort that - even on the darkest nights - there is hope in the new dawn.

　　今年，在南丁格爾誕辰200周年之際，我們慶祝了國際護士節。南丁格爾和 Mary Seacole等其他護理先驅一道，為世人點亮了希望之燈。今天，在現代科學成就的幫助下，我們的一線工作者依然在為我們點亮這盞希望之燈，因此，我們理應向他們獻上感謝。我們不斷受到陌生人的善意的鼓舞，并從中得到慰藉：即使在黑夜最深處，我們也應對新黎明抱有希望。

　　Jesus touched on this with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The man who is robbed and left at the roadside is saved by someone who did not share his religion or culture. This wonderful story of kindness is still as relevant today. Good Samaritans have emerged across society showing care and respect for all, regardless of gender, race or background, reminding us that each one of us is special and equal in the eyes of God.

　　耶穌在好撒瑪利亞人（Good Samaritan）的寓言中提到了這一點（注：陌生人的善意）。一位擁有不同信仰或文化背景的人，搭救了一名遭搶劫并被遺棄路邊的人。這個關于善良的精彩故事在今天仍有重要意義。社會上不斷涌現出好撒瑪利亞人，他們關心和尊重所有人，不分性別、種族或背景，并提醒我們每個人在上帝眼中都是獨特而平等的。

　　The teachings of Christ have served as my inner light, as has the sense of purpose we can find in coming together to worship.

　　基督的教導是我的內心之光，我們聚會敬拜所產生的目標感也是如此。

　　In November, we commemorated another hero–though nobody knows his name. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior isn’t a large memorial, but everyone entering Westminster Abbey has to walk around his resting place, honouring this unnamed combatant of the First World War—a symbol of selfless duty and ultimate sacrifice. The Unknown Warrior was not exceptional. That’s the point. He represents millions like him who throughout our history have put the lives of others above their own, and will be doing so today. For me, this is a source of enduring hope in difficult and unpredictable times.

　　今年11月，我們紀念了另一位英雄——盡管沒人知曉他的姓名。作為紀念碑，無名戰士墓并不算大，但每個進入威斯敏斯特大教堂的人都必須繞著他的長眠之地走一圈，以紀念這位無名的“一戰”戰士——他象征著無私的責任和終極的犧牲。這位無名戰士并不罕見。這才是關鍵所在。我們的歷史長河中，涌現了無數像他一樣的戰士，他們將別人的生命置于自己的生命之上，今天還會涌現這樣的人物。就我而言，在艱難叵測的時刻，這種自我犧牲的精神給我們帶來了希望。

　　Of course, for many, this time of year will be tinged with sadness: some mourning the loss of those dear to them, and others missing friends and family-members distanced for safety, when all they’d really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand. If you are among them, you are not alone, and let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers.

　　顯然，對很多人來說，今年的疫情為圣誕節蒙上了一絲憂傷：有些人在哀悼失去的親人，有些人則在思念親友（為安全起見，他們彼此分開），此時，他們真正想要的圣誕禮物不過是一個簡單的擁抱或一次緊緊地握手。如果你也在經歷這一切，你并不孤單，我保證我的惦念和祈禱與你同在。

　　The Bible tells how a star appeared in the sky, its light guiding the shepherds and wise men to the scene of Jesus’s birth. Let the light of Christmas — the spirit of selflessness, love and above all hope — guide us in the times ahead.

　　《圣經》講述了在天空中出現的一顆星，它的光芒引領牧羊人和博士來到耶穌的誕生處。讓圣誕之光——無私、愛、（尤其是）希望的精神——引領我們前進吧。

　　It is in that spirit that I wish you a very happy Christmas.

　　本著這種精神，我祝您圣誕快樂！