As a child, I never imagined that one day a man would walk on the moon.

當我還是個孩子的時候，我從沒想過有一日人會在月球上行走。

Yet this year we marked the 50th anniversary of the famous Apollo 11 mission.

然而，今年我們紀念了著名的阿波羅11號登月任務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.

當那些歷史性的照片被傳送回地球時，數百萬人呆坐在電視機前，我們看到尼爾·阿姆斯特朗邁出那一小步，對全人類卻是一大步，當然，對全體女性也是。

It's a reminder for us all that giant leaps often start with small steps.

它提醒我們所有人：巨大的飛躍往往始于微小的進步。

This year we marked another important anniversary: D-Day.

今年我們還迎來了另外一個重要的紀念日——諾曼底登陸紀念日。

On 6th June 1944, some 156,000 British, Canadian and American forces landed in northern France.

1944年6月6日，約15.6萬英加美聯軍在法國北部登陸。

It was the largest ever seaborne invasion and was delayed due to bad weather.

這是有史以來規(guī)模最大的海上登陸戰(zhàn)役，卻因為惡劣天氣而延遲了。

I well remember the look of concern on my father's face.

我清楚記得當時父親臉上擔憂的神情。

He knew the secret D-Day plans but could of course share that burden with no one.

他知道諾曼底登陸的秘密計劃，但他肩上的重擔卻無法與旁人分擔。

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.

為了紀念這場決定性戰(zhàn)役75周年，本著真正的和解精神，那些曾經是死敵的人團聚在一起，在英吉利海峽兩岸友好地舉行紀念活動，將過去的分歧拋在腦后。

Such reconciliation seldom happens overnight.

這種和解難以在一夜之間實現。

It takes patience and time to rebuild trust, and progress often comes through small steps.

重建信任需要耐心和時間，進程往往是在一小步一小步中推進。

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)結束以來，許多慈善組織和團體致力于促進世界各地的和平與團結，將對立的人團聚在一起。

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.

我們放下過去的分歧、共同前進，以此紀念我們曾以巨大代價贏得的自由和民主。

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.

今天許多人面臨的挑戰(zhàn)，可能與我們這一代所面臨的有所不同，但令我驚嘆的是，新一代在保護環(huán)境和氣候等問題上也有類似的使命感。

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.

我和我的家人也從應急人員和軍隊中受到鼓舞；在圣誕節(jié)，我們記得那些在國內外堅守崗位的人們，是他們幫助了那些需要幫助的人，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.

我曾曾祖母維多利亞女王出生的200年后，菲利普親王和我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，圣誕節(jié)故事的核心就是一個孩子的出生：看似微不足道的一小步，被伯利恒的很多人所忽略。

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，通過他的教導和示范，耶穌昭示世人，在信仰和希望中所邁出的一小步，能破解長期存在并且根深蒂固的分歧，帶來和睦與理解。

Many of us already try to follow in his footsteps.

我們中的許多人已經開始追隨他的步伐。

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.

當然，這條路并不總是平坦的，可能在今年某些時刻會感到非?？部?，但是小小的進步也能給世界帶來改變。

As Christmas dawned, church congregations around the world joined in singing It Came Upon The Midnight Clear.

隨著圣誕節(jié)的到來，世界各地的信徒唱響同一首《圣誕夜歌》。

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.

和許多永恒的頌歌一樣，它不僅講述了多年前耶穌降臨到了一個分裂的世界，天使所傳達的和平與善意也同樣重要，即使在今天也一樣。

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.

它適時提醒我們，當人們放下歧見、本著友誼和和解的精神走到一起的時候，好事就會發(fā)生。

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.

在我們對新十年的到來滿懷期待的時候，應當銘記，帶來最持久變化的往往是一小步，而不是大飛躍。

And so, I wish you all a very happy Christmas.

祝大家圣誕快樂。

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