In the ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral is a sculpture of a man and a woman reaching out to embrace each other. The sculptor was inspired by the story of a woman who crossed Europe on foot after the war to find her husband.

在旧考文垂大教堂废墟（Coventry Cathedral）的外面竖立着一尊雕塑，造型是一个男人和一个女人正伸手想要拥抱彼此。雕塑的灵感来源于一个女人在战争爆发后徒步跨越欧洲寻找自己丈夫的故事。

Casts of the same sculpture can be found in Belfast and Berlin, and it is simply called Reconciliation.

在贝尔法斯特和柏林都能找到同样的雕塑，它的名字很简单，叫做和解。

Reconciliation is the peaceful end to conflict, and we were reminded of this in August

when countries on both sides of the First World War came together to remember in peace. 和解是战争过后的和平，今年8月第一次世界大战的交战双方在一起纪念和平时，我们再次想到了“和解”这个词。

The ceramic poppies at the Tower of London drew millions, and the only possible reaction to seeing them and walking among them was silence. For every poppy a life; and a reminder of the grief of loved ones left behind.

伦敦塔上的陶瓷罂粟吸引了数百万人，沉默是人们看到这场景并从中穿过时的唯一反应。每一朵罂粟象征着一个生命，让人们想起失去至爱后的悲痛。

No one who fought in that war is still alive, but we remember their sacrifice and indeed the sacrifice of all those in the armed forces who serve and protect us today.

也不能忘记那些依然在服务和保卫着我们的军中将士做出的奉献。

In 1914, many people thought the war would be over by Christmas, but sadly by then the trenches were dug and the future shape of the war in Europe was set.

19xx年，很多人认为战争会在圣诞节结束，但遗憾的是那时战壕已经挖好，欧洲战场上未来的战争形态也已经确定。

But, as we know, something remarkable did happen that Christmas, exactly a hundred years ago today.

不过，正如我们知道的那样，一百年前的今天，也就是圣诞节当天，的确发生了一件意义非凡的事情。

Without any instruction or command, the shooting stopped and German and British soldiers met in No Man's Land. Photographs were taken and gifts exchanged. It was a Christmas truce.

没有指示，没有命令，射击停止了，德国士兵和英国士兵相聚在无人地带。士兵们拍照留念并互赠礼物。这就是圣诞节休战协定。

Truces are not a new idea. In the ancient world a truce was declared for the duration of the Olympic Games and wars and battles were put on hold.

休战协定并非新创。古时候战争和战斗都要在奥运会期间暂停。

Sport has a wonderful way of bringing together people and nations, as we saw this year in Glasgow when over 70 countries took part in the Commonwealth Games.

运动是将人们和国家聚在一起的好方法，我们看到有70多个国家参与今年在格拉斯哥举行的英联邦运动会。

It is no accident that they are known as the Friendly Games. As well as promoting dialogue between nations, the Commonwealth Games pioneered the inclusion of para-sports within each day's events.

这个运动会被称为友好运动会并非偶然。除了促进国家之间对话以外，英联邦运动会还开创了在每天的比赛项目中都加入残疾运动项目的先河。

As with the Invictus Games that followed, the courage, determination and talent of the athletes captured our imagination as well as breaking down divisions.

在之后的不可征服运动会中，运动员们的勇气，决心和天赋不但吸引着我们的目光，同时还打破了隔阂。

The benefits of reconciliation were clear to see when I visited Belfast in June. While my tour of the set of Game Of Thrones may have gained most attention, my visit to the Crumlin Road Gaol will remain vividly in my mind.

今年六月份我访问贝尔法斯特时就清楚的看到了和解的好处。虽然我参观《权力的游戏》拍摄地的新闻吸引了大部分人的注意力，但对克拉姆林路监狱的参观却让我记忆犹新。

What was once a prison during the Troubles is now a place of hope and fresh purpose; a reminder of what is possible when people reach out to one another, rather like the couple in the sculpture.

这个在北爱尔兰动乱期间的监狱如今充满了希望和新目标；让人们认识到，当人们伸出手互相帮助时，什么事都是有可能的，就像雕塑里的那对夫妇一样。

Of course, reconciliation takes different forms. In Scotland after the referendum many felt great disappointment, while others felt great relief; and bridging these differences will take time.

当然，和解有很多方式。苏格兰公投后，很多人觉得很失望，有的人却觉得很宽慰，弥合这些分歧尚需时日。

Bringing reconciliation to war or emergency zones is an even harder task, and I have been deeply touched this year by the selflessness of aid workers and medical volunteers who have gone abroad to help victims of conflict or of diseases like Ebola, often at great personal risk.

在战争中或者紧急突发地带取得和解更是困难，今年，救援人员和医疗志愿者们不顾个人安危、奔赴国外帮助冲突地区的受害人员或者饱受疾病（例如埃博拉）困扰的病人。我深为所动。

For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life.

今天是耶稣基督，和平之主的诞辰，庆祝他的生日对我来说是一种鼓舞，是我生命中的一个精神支柱。

A role model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love,

acceptance and healing. Christ's example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people, of whatever faith or none.

作为和解和宽恕的榜样，他伸出充满爱、接纳和弥合的手。耶稣教会我尊重和珍视每一个人，无关信仰。

Sometimes it seems that reconciliation stands little chance in the face of war and discord. But, as the Christmas truce a century ago reminds us, peace and goodwill have lasting power in the hearts of men and women.

有时候和解在战争与冲突面前似乎无力反击。但，正如一百年前的圣诞节停战协定，和平和美好的希望在世人心里拥有持久的影响力。

On that chilly Christmas Eve in 1914 many of the German forces sang Silent Night, its haunting melody inching across the line.

19xx年的圣诞节前夜很寒冷，德国士兵们吟唱的《平安夜》穿过交火线，让人难以忘怀。

That carol is still much-loved today, a legacy of the Christmas truce, and a reminder to us all that even in the unlikeliest of places hope can still be found.

今天，这首圣诞歌曲依然受欢迎，它是圣诞节停战协定的延续，也提醒着我们，即使在最不可能的地方，依然可以找到希望。

A very happy Christmas to you all.

祝各位圣诞快乐。

 

第二篇：英国女王伊丽莎白二世20xx年圣诞致辞

英国女王伊丽莎白二世20xx年圣诞致辞

Christmas Broadcast 2014

In the ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral is a sculpture of a man and a woman reaching out to embrace each other. The sculptor was inspired by the story of a woman who crossed Europe on foot after the war to find her husband. Casts of the same sculpture can be found in Belfast and Berlin, and it is simply called Reconciliation.

Reconciliation is the peaceful end to conflict, and we were reminded of this in August when countries on both sides of the First World War came together to remember in peace. The ceramic poppies at the Tower of London drew millions, and the only possible reaction to seeing them and walking among them was silence. For every poppy a life; and a reminder of the grief of loved ones left behind.

No-one who fought in that war is still alive, but we remember their sacrifice and indeed the sacrifice of all those in the armed forces who serve and protect us today.

In 1914, many people thought the war would be over by Christmas, but sadly by then the trenches were dug and the future shape of the war in Europe was set. But, as we know, something remarkable did happen that Christmas, exactly a hundred years ago today. Without any instruction or command, the shooting stopped and German and British soldiers met in No Man’s Land. Photographs were taken and gifts exchanged. It was a Christmas truce.

Truces are not a new idea. In the ancient world a truce was declared for the duration of the Olympic Games and wars and battles were put on hold. Sport has a wonderful way of bringing together people and nations, as we saw this year in Glasgow when over seventy countries took part in the Commonwealth Games. It is no accident that they are known as the Friendly Games. As well as promoting dialogue between nations, the Commonwealth Games pioneered the inclusion of para-sports within each day’s events. As with the Invictus Games that followed, the courage, determination and talent of the athletes captured our imagination as well as breaking down divisions.

The benefits of reconciliation were clear to see when I visited Belfast in June. While my tour of the set of Game of Thrones may have gained most attention, my visit to the Crumlin Road Gaol will remain vividly in my mind. What was once a prison during the troubles is now a place of hope and fresh purpose; a reminder of what is possible when people reach out to one another, rather like the couple in the sculpture.

Of course, reconciliation takes different forms. In Scotland after the referendum many felt great disappointment, while others felt great relief; and bridging these differences

will take time. Bringing reconciliation to war or emergency zones is an even harder task, and I have been deeply touched this year by the selflessness of aid workers and medical volunteers who have gone abroad to help victims of conflict or of diseases like Ebola, often at great personal risk.

For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life. A role-model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing. Christ’s example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people of whatever faith or none.

Sometimes it seems that reconciliation stands little chance in the face of war and discord. But, as the Christmas truce a century ago reminds us, peace and goodwill have lasting power in the hearts of men and women.

On that chilly Christmas Eve in 1914 many of the German forces sang “Silent Night”, its haunting melody inching across the line. That carol is still much-loved today, a legacy of the Christmas truce, and a reminder to us all that even in the unlikeliest of places hope can still be found.

A very happy Christmas to you all.