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. 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.
小时候，我从未想象人类能登上月球。而今年，已是我们庆祝阿波罗11号成功登陆月球50周年。当年，当千百万人端坐在电视机前，看着历史性的影像从月球传回地球，我们看着阿姆斯特朗迈出“自己的一小步，却是人类的一大步”。这个历史性时刻，给我们这样一个提示：不积跬步，无以成千里。
This year we marked another important anniversary: D-Day. On 6th June 1944, some one hundred and fifty-six thousand British, Canadian and American forces landed in Northern France. It was the largest ever seaborne invasion and was delayed due to bad weather. 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.
今年还标志着另一个重要事件的纪念日：诺曼底登陆。一九四四年六月六日，十五万六千多名来自英国、加拿大、和美国的士兵，从诺曼底登陆法国北岸，这是人类历史上规模最大的一次海岸登陆，尽管因为恶劣天气，登陆计划有所推迟。我现在还清晰记得当时父亲的关切表情，他事先了解诺曼底登陆计划，但显然不能透露给任何其他人。
For the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of that decisive battle, in a true spirit of reconciliation, those who had formerly been sworn enemies came together in friendly commemorations either side of the Channel, putting past differences behind them.
距离那场决定生死的战斗早已过去七十五年，当年彼此针锋相对仇敌，早将仇恨化解，他们怀着真正的和解与善意，或聚在一起，或分立海峡两岸，共同缅怀遥远的过往。
Such reconciliation seldom happens overnight. It takes patience and time to rebuild trust, and progress often comes through small steps. 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. 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.
这种和解绝非旦夕之功。重建信任，需要耐心和时间，往往源自日积月累的点点滴滴。二战结束以来，很多机构和组织一直致力于推进世界团结与和平，帮助曾经敌对的双方化敌为友。唯有诚心实意地搁置分歧，着眼未来，我们才不至于枉费千辛万苦赢来的自由与民主。
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，很多人面临的挑战或许不同于我们这一代人面临的挑战，但是，新一代人应对问题（如保护环境与气候）所秉持的态度与解决方法，却与我们并无二致。
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，一直感动于那些工作在军队与救援机构里的男人和女人们。值此圣诞，我们要致谢那些坚守海内外一线岗位的将士。他们，救我们于困境，赐我么以安全。
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. 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. 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. 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.
今年，是我曾祖母，维多利亚女王二百年诞辰纪念。我和菲利普亲王，今年也迎来我们的第八位曾孙。圣诞故事的内核，是一个婴儿的降生，而这个孩子的出生，在当年很多伯利恒人看来，微不足道。但是，耶稣通过传道与以身作则，亲身示范给这个世界，信仰与希望的点滴，便能战胜长久僵持的偏见与由来已久的分歧，最后总会给我们带来和谐与理解。我们中的很多人早已践行他的步伐，这条路，当然不平坦，或许，比如今年的不少时候，甚至跌跌撞撞，但一小步，一定能带来世界的一大步。
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 angels’ message of peace and goodwill.
圣诞来临，全世界的教堂都会唱着《在晴朗午夜降临》来庆祝。就像很多穿越时空的赞美诗一样，这首歌不仅宣告耶稣在很多年前降临到这个分歧纷乱的世界，但是，更为重要的是，这首歌也是天使给我们传递的消息，对我们的美好祝愿，与今天的我们，息息相关。
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. 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.
当人们不计前嫌，怀着友谊与和解的精神共同着眼未来时，好事就会来临。在我们共同期待下一个十年来临之际，让我们记住：不求速成，日拱一卒，人间多数深刻而持久的变化，来源于此。
And so, I wish you all a very happy Christmas.
我祝福大家圣诞节快乐。
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英国范儿：分享英国的趣味和格调
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