From the BBC:
“King Charles' first Christmas
speech - text in full”
King Charles III has given his
first Christmas Day message as monarch. Here is the full text of the speech:
"I am standing here in this
exquisite Chapel of St George at Windsor Castle, so close to where my beloved
mother, the late Queen, is laid to rest with my dear father. "I am
reminded of the deeply touching letters, cards and messages which so many of
you have sent my wife and myself and I cannot thank you enough for the love and
sympathy you have shown our whole family. "Christmas is a particularly poignant
time for all of us who have lost loved ones. "We feel their absence at
every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each cherished
tradition. "In the much-loved carol O Little Town Of Bethlehem we sing of
how 'in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light'.
"My mother's belief in the
power of that light was an essential part of her faith in God, but also her
faith in people and it is one which I share with my whole heart. "It is a
belief in the extraordinary ability of each person to touch, with goodness and
compassion, the lives of others, and to shine a light in the world around them.
"This is the essence of our community and the very foundation of our
society. "We see it in the selfless dedication of our Armed Forces and
Emergency Services who work tirelessly to keep us all safe, and who performed
so magnificently as we mourned the passing of our late Queen. "We see it
in our health and social care professionals, our teachers and indeed all those
working in public service, whose skill and commitment are at the heart of our
communities.
"And at this time of great
anxiety and hardship, be it for those around the world facing conflict, famine
or natural disaster, or for those at home finding ways to pay their bills and
keep their families fed and warm, we see it in the humanity of people throughout
our nations and the Commonwealth who so readily respond to the plight of
others. "I particularly want to pay tribute to all those wonderfully kind
people who so generously give food or donations, or that most precious
commodity of all, their time, to support those around them in greatest need,
together with the many charitable organizations which do such extraordinary
work in the most difficult circumstances. "Our churches, synagogues,
mosques, temples and gurdwaras, have once again united in feeding the hungry,
providing love and support throughout the year.
"Such heartfelt solidarity
is the most inspiring expression of loving our neighbour as our self. "The
Prince and Princess of Wales recently visited Wales, shining a light on
practical examples of this community spirit. "Some years ago, I was able
to fulfil a life-long wish to visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity. "There,
I went down into the Chapel of the Manger and stood in silent reverence by the
Silver Star that is inlaid on the floor and marks the place of our Lord Jesus
Christ's birth. "It meant more to me than I can possibly express to stand
on that spot where, as the Bible tells us, 'The light that has come into the
world' was born. "While Christmas is, of course, a Christian celebration,
the power of light overcoming darkness is celebrated across the boundaries of
faith and belief. "So, whatever faith you have, or whether you have none,
it is in this life-giving light, and with the true humility that lies in our
service to others, that I believe we can find hope for the future. "Let us
therefore celebrate it together, and cherish it always. "With all my
heart, I wish each of you a Christmas of peace, happiness and everlasting
light."
^ This was a good speech. ^
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