Creator( )euro newswithAP
Release date
Charles III’s Christmas speech:
“A few weeks ago, the Queen and I had the pleasure of making an official visit to the Vatican, where we prayed with Pope Leo in a historic moment of spiritual unity. Together we celebrated the Jubilee theme of ‘Pilgrim of Hope’. The word pilgrimage is less commonly used today, but it has particular significance in modern society, especially at Christmas. It is a journey forward into the future, but also a journey back to remember the past and learn from its lessons.”
This took place in the summer to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day. As the years go by, fewer and fewer people remember the end of World War II, but the courage and sacrifice of service members and the way communities came together in the face of such great challenges carries a timeless message to all of us. These are the values that have shaped our nation and our Commonwealth.
These are values that we must never lose sight of, even as voices of division are heard both domestically and internationally. For example, we cannot help but feel deeply moved by the ages of the fallen, which the gravestones in war cemeteries remind us of. The young people who fought in both world wars and saved us from defeat were often only 18, 19 or 20 years old. Travel is a timeless theme of the Christmas story.
The Holy Family journeyed to Bethlehem and arrived homeless without proper shelter. Wise men made pilgrimages from the East to worship the Cradle of Christ, and shepherds traveled from field to town in search of Jesus, the Savior of the world. In each case, they traveled with others and relied on the friendship and kindness of others.
Through physical and mental challenges, they discovered their inner strength. To this day, in times of uncertainty, these ways of living are cherished by all great faiths and provide us with deep wells of hope, resilience in the face of adversity, peace through forgiveness, and new friendships through simply knowing our neighbors and showing respect for one another.
Indeed, as our world seems to be spinning faster and faster, our journey may allow us to pause, quiet our minds, and renew ourselves, in the words of T.S. Eliot, “at the still point of the world’s rotation.” In the diversity of this community, we can find the strength that right can overcome wrong. It seems to me that we need to cherish the values of compassion and reconciliation, the life and death of our Lord. This year, I have heard many examples of this at home and abroad.
From our nation’s venerable veterans to selfless humanitarian workers in this century’s most dangerous conflict zones, these stories of courage’s triumph over adversity give me hope. You’ll also learn about how individuals and communities display spontaneous courage and instinctively put themselves in danger to protect others. When I meet people of different faiths, it is heartening to hear how much we have in common: a common yearning for peace and a deep respect for all life. If we can find time to reflect on these virtues during our life journeys, we can all make our futures more hopeful. Of course, the greatest of all pilgrimages is the journey we celebrate today.
The story of a man who descended from heaven to earth, took shelter in a stable, and shared his life with poor and lonely people. It was a pilgrimage with a purpose and was told by an angel that there should be peace on earth. The prayers that echoed in the fields near Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago, calling for peace and reconciliation, asking others to do unto you as you would have them do unto you, still reverberate around the world from the Bethlehem neighborhood today. It is also a prayer for our times and communities as we move through life. Therefore, with these words and with all my heart, I wish you all a most peaceful and very happy Christmas. ”
video editor • Marek Huda