I once knew someone who spent a year in a plaster cast recovering from operation on his back. He read a lot, and thought a lot, and felt miserable. Later, he realized this time of forced retreat from the world had helped him to understand the world more clearly. We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock.
我认识那么一个人，他因为背部手术而缠了一年的石膏绷带。病中，他读了很多书，也思考了很多，常常感到痛苦。我们都需要在“行动”和“反思”中找到平衡，被众多俗事所扰，我们很容易忘记停一停，想一想。不久之后他意识到 虽然病痛迫使他从世界舞台上退出却也帮助他更好的理解这个世界。（指英女王好友，前首相道格拉斯—休姆）
Be it through contemplation, prayer, or even keeping a diary, many have found the practice of quiet personal reflection surprisingly rewarding, even discovering greater spiritual depth to their lives. Reflection can take many forms. When families and friends come together at Christmas, it's often a time for happy memories and reminiscing. Our thoughts are with those we have loved who are no longer with us. We also remember those who through doing their duty cannot be at home for Christmas, such as workers in essential or emergency services.
不管是沉思，祈祷，亦或是写日记，很多人都发现这种个人的静思惊人的有效，亦能够探索他们人生的心灵深处。反思有许多不同的形式。家人和朋友在圣诞节之际团聚，同时是一次对幸福和快乐的追忆。我们追忆那些已经不在人世的所爱之人，我们同样铭记那些在圣诞期间尽忠职守 无法回家的人们。像那些在重要岗位或应急工作职守的人们。
And especially at this time of year we think of the men and women serving overseas in our armed forces. We are forever grateful to all those who put themselves at risk to keep us safe. Service and duty are not just the guiding principles of yesteryear; they have an enduring value which spans the generations.
此时此刻，我们应该特别要铭记那些在海外执勤的男女军人们。我们永远感谢那些为了保卫我们的安全而投身于危险之中的人们。尽职与责任并不只是过去一年里的主题，它们是英国代代相传的价值观
I myself had cause to reflect this year, at Westminster Abbey, on my own pledge of service made in that great church on Coronation Day sixty years earlier. The anniversary reminded me of the remarkable changes that have occurred since the Coronation, many of them for the better; and of
the things that have remained constant, such as the importance of family, friendship and good neighbourliness.
今年，在威斯敏斯特大教堂，我也经历了一次反思的机会，在这座教堂里，举办了我的加冕60周年纪念活动。这一庆典让我回想起加冕六十年里发生的重大改变，其中很多都是有正面意义的，同样也使我回想起那些不变的东西，比如家庭 友谊和与人为善的重要性。
But reflection is not just about looking back. I and many others are looking forward to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year. The baton relay left London in October and is now the other side of the world, on its way across seventy nations and territories before arriving in Scotland next summer. Its journey is a reminder that the Commonwealth can offer us a fresh view of life.
但反思也不只是回顾过去。我和许多人一样都还在期待着明 年在格拉斯哥的英联邦运动会。火炬接力今年从伦敦启动 现在已经到达世界的另一边，它将跨越70个国家和地区于明年夏天到达苏格兰。这趟旅程展示出英联邦的崭新面貌。
My son Charles summed this up at the recent meeting in Sri Lanka. He spoke of the Commonwealth's "family ties" that are a source of encouragement to many. Like any family there can be differences of opinion. But however strongly they're expressed they are held within the common bond of friendship and shared experiences.
我的儿子査尔斯在斯里兰卡前不久举行的会议上也提到这一点。他指出英联邦国家间的“家庭的纽带”能够鼓舞人们。和任何家庭一样，英联邦中也会有各种观念分歧，但是他们仍能强烈的认识到他们被友谊和共同经历的纽带联系在一起。
Here at home my own family is a little larger this Christmas. As so many of you will know, the arrival of a baby gives everyone the chance to contemplate the future with renewed happiness and hope. For the new parents, life will never be quite the same again. As with all who are christened, George was baptized into a joyful faith of Christian duty and service. After the christening, we gathered for the traditional photograph. It was a happy occasion, bringing together four generations.
就我的家庭而言，今年我们增加了一个新成员，你们很多人都知道一个孩子（乔治王子）出生了。他的出生给了每个人对美好未来的希望与期盼，对新生儿的父母来说，生活永远不会再和以前一样了。和所有经
受洗礼的孩子一样，乔治在受洗礼的同时被赋予了身为基督徒的责任与义务。在洗礼结束后，我们全家一起拍摄了传统家庭合影，那是一个四代同堂的快乐时刻。
In the year ahead, I hope you will have time to pause for moments of quiet reflection. As the man in the plaster cast discovered, the results can sometimes be surprising. For Christians, as for all people of faith, reflection, meditation and prayer help us to renew ourselves in God's love, as we strive daily to become better people. The Christmas message shows us that this love is for everyone. There is no one beyond its reach.
在未来的一年里，我希望大家都能够有时间停一停 静静的反思一刻，就和我那位从病中觉悟的朋友一样，反思有时能带来令人惊讶的效果。对所有基督徒，所有有信仰的人们来说，反思，沉思与祈祷能帮助我们重新认识到神的爱，认识到我们每天努力成为一个更好的人，圣诞节带给我们的讯息就是：爱是给予每个人的，无人不在其中
On the first Christmas, in the fields above Bethlehem, as they sat in the cold of night watching their resting sheep, the local shepherds must have had no shortage of time for reflection. Suddenly all this was to change. These humble shepherds were the first to hear and ponder the wondrous news of the birth of Christ - the first noel - the joy of which we celebrate today.
在基督诞生的那一天 在伯利恒的荒原上，牧羊人坐在寒冷的夜空中，看着睡眠中的羊群，牧羊人没有空闲时间来反思，思考。 突然一切都变了，这些卑微的牧人听到了那声啼哭，第一个见证了基督诞生的奇迹。那就是圣诞节的初始，我们直至今天仍然在纪念这份喜悦。
I wish you all a very happy Christmas.
我祝愿所有人圣诞快乐。
第二篇：英国女王圣诞演讲
Each year that passes seems to have its own character. Some leave us with a feeling of satisfaction, others are best forgotten. 2009 was a difficult year for many, in particular those facing the continuing effects of the economic downturn.
过去每年似乎都各具特点。一些年份让我们心满意足，一些年份则最好忘却。20xx年对很多人来说都不好过，尤其是那些深受经济衰退之苦的人们。
I am sure that we have all been affected by events in Afghanistan and saddened by the casualties suffered by our forces serving there. Our thoughts go out to their relations and friends who have shown immense dignity in the face of great personal loss.
我相信，我们所有人都受到阿富汗战事影响，为英军士兵伤亡感到悲伤。我们向这些士兵的家人和朋友表示慰问，他们面对巨大个人损失表现得无比高尚。 But, we can be proud of the positive contribution that our servicemen and women are making, in conjunction with our allies.
但我们应该为我们的士兵与盟友作出的积极贡献而感到骄傲。
Well over 13,000 soldiers from the United Kingdom, and across the Commonwealth - Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore - are currently serving in Afghanistan.
英国和包括加拿大、澳大利亚、新西兰和新加坡在内的英联邦国家眼下共有超过1.3万名士兵在阿富汗服役。
The debt of gratitude owed to these young men and women, and to their predecessors, is indeed profound.
我们对这些年轻士兵以及先前在阿富汗服役过的士兵表示深深感激。
It is 60 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.
今年是英联邦成立60周年，今天其成员国25岁以下人口超过10亿，为它保持长久的强大和实用提供了力量源泉。
Recently I attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago and heard how important the Commonwealth is to young people.
最近我刚刚参加了在特立尼达和多巴哥举行的英联邦政府首脑会议，听到联邦对年轻人是多么重要。
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.
新的通信技术使他们能够接触到更广阔的世界，分享他们的经验和观点。对于许多人来说，英联邦的实际援助与网络可以提供技能，给予意见和鼓励进取。 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. 令人鼓舞的是，我了解到一些年轻人正在做着一些事情，他们面对挑战，富于创造力和创新精神。
It is important to keep discussing issues that concern us all - there can by no more valuable role for our family of nations. I have been closely associated with the Commonwealth through most of its existence. 对关系到我们所有人的问题保持讨论很重要，它让我们的大家庭产生更大的价值。在英联邦成立以来的大部分时间里，我都同它联系紧密。
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.
我个人同各国领袖、人民密不可分。这不单是象征意义，也能促进我们的团结。 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.
英联邦并非一个具某种使命的组织，而更是一个让各国人民合作、解决困难的平台。
In many aspects of our lives, whether in sport, the environment, business or culture, the Commonwealth connection remains vivid and enriching. 在涉及我们生活的许多方面，不论是体育、环境、商业或文化，英联邦国家之间的联系紧密而丰富。
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.
在很多方面这展现未来的前景。随着不断的支持和贡献，我相信英联邦国家的多元化能加强各国在政治、宗教、种族和经济环境的凝聚力。
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.
众所周知，圣诞节是欢庆与家人团聚的时候，但我们也可以借这个时机回顾那些国内外不幸者面临的困境。
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.
基督徒被教导要爱他们的邻居，有同情心，乐于慈善和志愿工作，以减轻贫困和不利的负担。
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.
我们自己会面临一连串的困难和挑战，这些困难和挑战会令我们感到困惑，但我们绝不能停下脚步。而应该继续努力，为自己和他人创造更美好的未来。 I wish you all, wherever you may be, a very happy Christmas. 不论你们现时身在何处，我都祝愿你们圣诞快乐。