海外邦

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，我们用亮灯的方式迎接圣诞的到来。光明不仅带来节日喜庆的氛围，光明还会带来希望。

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.

对基督徒而言，耶稣是“世界之光”。然而我们今天无法像往常那样庆祝祂的生日。不同信仰的人们无法相聚着庆祝节日--逾越节、复活节、开斋节和光明节。但是生活仍要继续下去。上个月是印度教徒、锡克教徒和耆那教徒庆祝的排灯节--灯光的节日，烟花照亮了温莎附近的天空。虽然要遵守社交距离，庆祝带来了希望和团结的欢乐时刻。

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.

值得一提的是，这个需要让人保持距离的一年让我们更近了。在整个英联邦，我和家人都受到人们在社区志愿助人故事的鼓舞。

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.

在英国和全世界，人们起身应对今年的挑战。这番静默却不屈不挠的精神让我感到骄傲和感动。对我们的年轻人，我尤其要感谢你们，感谢你们做出的努力。

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，我们在南丁格尔诞辰200周年之际庆祝了国际护士节。和护理先驱玛丽·西科一样，南丁格尔在世界点亮了希望之灯。今天，在让人惊叹的当代科学的支持下，我们在前线的服务者为我们点亮了明灯，我们对他们感谢不已。即使在最黑暗的夜晚，我们继续受到来自陌生人善意的启发，也从其中得到安慰，黎明中自有希望。

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.

耶稣用仁慈的撒玛利亚人的故事阐述了这个道理。一个被打劫受重伤的人躺在路边，救他的是个信仰和文化都与他不同的人。这个有关善良的美好故事在今天依然有意义。仁慈的撒玛利亚人在社会中频频出现，无论性别、种族和背景，为大家提供帮助和尊重。他提醒我们，每个人在上帝眼里都是特别和平等的。

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

耶稣的教诲是我内心的明灯，对上帝的敬拜也让我有使命感。

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.

11月，我们纪念了另一位英雄--无名英雄。无名战士墓不是一块大墓碑，但是每个走进西敏寺的人都要走过他的安息之地，对这位在一战中无名的战士表示尊敬。他是无私高尚为他人牺牲的符号。这位无名战士没有特别之处。这是意义所在：他代表了历史上百万个像他一样的人，将别人的生命放在自己之前。这些人在今天也是一样。对我而言，在艰难和不可预测的时刻，这是永恒希望的来源。

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.

对很多人而言，今年此时带着悲伤：有些人缅怀亲友的离世，有些人为了保证安全而不能与亲友相聚。他们在圣诞节最想要的是一个拥抱或是握手。如果你是其中的一员，你并不孤单，让我的思绪和祷告给你们带来安慰。

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.

圣经写到，在耶稣降临的时候，天空出现一颗明星，它的光亮指引了牧羊人和三贤士来到耶稣出生的地方。让圣诞之光--无私、爱意和希望--指引我们向前。

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

我带着这番精神，祝各位圣诞快乐。