As a child, I never imagined that one day a man would walk on the moon. Yet this year we marked the 50th anniversary of the famous Apollo 11 mission.
在我小時候,我從未想過有一天人類能在月球上行走。然而,今年我們共同慶祝了阿波羅登月50周年。
As those historic pictures were beamed back to Earth, millions of us sat transfixed to our television screens, as we watched Neil Armstrong taking a small step for man and a giant leap for mankind - and, indeed, for womankind. It's a reminder for us all that giant leaps often start with small steps.
當這些歷史性的照片被傳回地球時,我們數(shù)百萬人呆呆地坐在電視機前,看著尼爾?阿姆斯特朗個人的一小步、人類的一大步——實際上,也是女性的一大步。這提醒我們所有人,巨大的飛躍往往始于一小步。
This year we marked another important anniversary: D-Day. On 6th June 1944, some 156,000 British, Canadian and American forces landed in northern France. It was the largest ever seabourne invasion and was delayed due to bad weather.
今年還是諾曼底登陸的75周年。1944年6月6日,約15.6萬英國、加拿大和美國軍隊在法國北部登陸。這是有史以來最大規(guī)模的海上入侵,而且由于惡劣的天氣而被推遲。
I well remember the look of concern on my father's face. He knew the secret D-Day plans but could of course share that burden with no one.
我清楚地記得當時父親臉上關切的表情。他知道這個秘密的登陸計劃,但他不能和任何人分享這個負擔。
For the 75th anniversary of that decisive battle, in a true spirit of reconciliation, those who had formally been sworn enemies came together in friendly commemorations either side of the Channel, putting past differences behind them.
正值那場決定性戰(zhàn)役75周年之際,本著真正的和解精神,那些以前不共戴天的敵人走到一起,以友好的方式進行紀念,放下過去的分歧。
Such reconciliation seldom happens overnight. It takes patience and time to rebuild trust, and progress often comes through small steps.
這種和解很少在一夜之間發(fā)生。重建信任需要耐心和時間,而進展往往是通過向前邁出一小步實現(xiàn)的。
Since the end of the Second World War, many charities, groups and organisations have worked to promote peace and unity around the world, bringing together those who have been on opposing sides.
自從第二次世界大戰(zhàn)結(jié)束以來,許多慈善機構(gòu)、團體和組織致力于促進世界各地的和平與團結(jié),把對立的各方團結(jié)在一起。
By being willing to put past differences behind us and move forward together, we honour the freedom and democracy once won for us at so great a cost.
我們愿意把過去的分歧拋在腦后,共同前進,我們尊重曾經(jīng)以巨大代價而贏得的自由和民主。
The challenges many people face today may be different to those once faced by my generation, but I have been struck by how new generations have brought a similar sense of purpose to issues such as protecting our environment and our climate.
現(xiàn)在,人們面臨的挑戰(zhàn)可能與我們那一代人面臨的挑戰(zhàn)不同,但令我驚訝的是,年輕一代在保護環(huán)境和氣候等問題上表現(xiàn)出了強烈的使命感。
My family and I are also inspired by the men and women of our emergency services and armed forces; and at Christmas we remember all those on duty at home and abroad, who are helping those in need and keeping us and our families safe and secure.
同時,我和家人也深受我們國家緊急服務機構(gòu)和武裝部隊的鼓舞。在圣誕節(jié),我們記掛著那些在國內(nèi)外堅守崗位的人們,他們幫助那些困難中的人們,保障我們和家人的安全。
Two hundred years on from the birth of my great, great grandmother, Queen Victoria, Prince Philip and I have been delighted to welcome our eighth great grandchild into our family.
在我曾曾祖母——維多利亞女王誕辰200年之際,我和菲利普親王很高興迎來了我們的第八個曾孫。
Of course, at the heart of the Christmas story lies the birth of a child: a seemingly small and insignificant step overlooked by many in Bethlehem.
當然,圣誕故事的核心就是一個孩子的誕生——耶穌的誕生。一個看似微不足道的一步,卻被伯利恒(耶穌誕生地)的許多人忽視了。
But in time, through his teaching and by his example, Jesus Christ would show the world how small steps taken in faith and in hope can overcome long-held differences and deep-seated divisions to bring harmony and understanding.
但隨著時間的推移,耶穌基督通過循循善誘向世界表明,傳播信仰和希望途中的一點一滴可以減少長期存在和根深蒂固的分歧,從而帶來和諧和理解。
Many of us already try to follow in his footsteps. The path, of course, is not always smooth, and may at times this year have felt quite bumpy, but small steps can make a world of difference.
我們中的很多人已經(jīng)開始追隨他的腳步。當然,道路不總是一帆風順,雖然坎坷難料,但和諧與理解可以戰(zhàn)勝分歧,前進的小小的步伐也能改變世界。
As Christmas dawned, church congregations around the world joined in singing It Came Upon The Midnight Clear. Like many timeless carols, it speaks not just of the coming of Jesus Christ into a divided world, many years ago, but also of the relevance, even today, of the angel's message of peace and goodwill.
在圣誕節(jié)到來之際,世界各地的教堂會眾一起唱起了《在晴朗午夜降臨》。像許多永恒的頌歌一樣,它不僅講述了多年前耶穌基督在分裂的世界降臨的故事,還暗示我們,即使在今天,天使所傳達的和平與善意仍然意義重大。
"It's a timely reminder of what positive things can be achieved when people set aside past differences and come together in the spirit of friendship and reconciliation.
這提示我們,當人們放下過去的分歧,本著友誼與和解的精神走到一起時,可以取得哪些積極的成果。
And, as we all look forward to the start of a new decade, it's worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.
當我們都在期待嶄新的十年時,需要記住的是,帶來最持久變化的往往是一小步,而不是一大步。
And so, I wish you all a very happy Christmas.
祝愿你們所有人圣誕節(jié)快樂。