英国女王2012圣诞演讲 耶稣基督诞生是上帝爱的侍奉

在圣诞来临之际，英国女王伊丽莎白二世于25日发表传统圣诞致词，今年的圣诞演讲首次以3D形式录制和在电视台上播放。女王在演讲中讲到，耶稣基督的诞生是上帝爱的侍奉。上帝差派他来到这个世上是“为要侍奉人，而非被人服侍。”为要使人们建立起以爱和侍奉为中心的生活：
　　
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。
　　
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。
　　
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。
　　
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。
　　
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。
　　
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。
　　
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。
　　
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。
　　
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。
　　
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。一位年轻的母亲和一位富有责任心的父亲同孩子，以及贫穷的牧羊人、远方来的游客，带着礼物一道瞻仰圣婴耶稣基督。从那天起在他的身上人们就得到鼓励为他人的利益而行善。
　　
而这个时候正是我们思想上帝差他的独生子是为了“去服侍他人，而并非被服侍”。他在耶稣基督里面建立起我们以爱和服侍为中心的生活。

这个圣诞节我的祷告是，我祈祷他的样式和教导将继续把人们凝聚在一起，享受侍奉他人带给自身的最大喜乐。
　　
赞美诗“荒凉之冬”，以一个问题结尾，反问我们每一个人谁知道圣诞节的故事，上帝怎样在谦卑的侍奉中把他自己给了我们。“这样贫穷卑微的我，能给他什么？如果我是当时的一个牧羊人，我将带去一只羊羔，如果我是智慧人，我将做我自己应做的部分。”那首赞美诗为我们给出了答案，“然而，我所能够给予他的，只是我的心而已。”
　　
祝愿所有人圣诞快乐。以下是英文原版：

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. It was humbling that so many chose to mark the anniversary of a duty which passed to me sixty 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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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. 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.

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’.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas.