在聖誕來臨之際，英國女王伊莉莎白二世於25日發表傳統聖誕致詞，今年的聖誕演講首次以3D形式錄製和在電視臺上播放。女王在演講中講到，耶穌基督的誕生是上帝愛的侍奉。上帝差派他來到這個世上是「為要侍奉人，而非被人服侍。」為要使人們建立起以愛和侍奉為中心的生活：
過去的一年對很多人來說都是值得慶祝的一年。當然，對於我和我的家人來說，登基60周年鑽石紀念日的熱情慶祝尤其值得紀念。
如此多的人選擇慶祝我繼承女王使命六十周年，我感到十分惶恐。各個國家，各個年齡段的人不辭煩勞，以各種形式參與慶祝。然而，最讓人印象深刻的，是看到在這些場合聚集在一起的人身上友誼的力量。
我和菲利普王子，同我們的家人一道，在泰晤士河上向那些塑造了大不列顛王國的歷史和未來、讓這個國家成為海上大國的人致敬，也歡迎了從大英國協各地駛來的優秀的大小船隊。
在船上、在橋上、在河的兩岸，人們不顧下雨天氣，在薄霧中歡呼。那一天，人們懷著共同的、強烈的慶祝的的決心，這一決心戰勝了其他阻礙的因素。
同樣的精神也在奧運聖火到達英國各地時顯露出來。傳遞的聖火吸引了大不列顛群島各地成百上千的人們，各行各業各種配得上當火炬手的人手持奧運火種，他們中的很多人都因傑出的奉獻而獲得提名。
今年夏天，倫敦主辦了空前的體育盛事。看到了在奧運會、帕運會比賽上健兒們的成就和勇氣，人們也都為我們健兒們的運動技巧、獻身精神、刻苦訓練和團隊精神所感動。運動員們在追求自己在體育上的目標的同時，也給了我們這些不在場上的人分享激動，以及分享跌宕起伏的比賽的機會。
我們也不會忘記，這些盛事之所以能夠順利舉辦，在很大程度上要歸功於軍人和志願者們的奉獻和努力。這些人一心為了大眾，保持著偉大的傳統，奉獻自己，保護他人安全，給予他人支持，帶給他人舒適。
對於很多人來說，聖誕也是團聚的日子。然而，還有一些人卻把為國家服務放在第一位。他們在我們的武裝部隊服役，為人們提供緊急服務，還有的在醫院工作。責任感讓他們離開家人朋友，在聖誕節，他們會想念他們所愛的人。
還有那些痛失愛人的人，這天對他們來說尤其充滿回憶。因此，在一年中的這個時節，跳出熟悉的圈子，為這些獨自一人過節的人考慮也十分重要。
聖誕節時，我總會驚訝地發現，團結精神也是聖誕故事的核心。一位年輕的母親和一位富有責任心的父親同孩子，以及貧窮的牧羊人、遠方來的遊客，帶著禮物一道瞻仰聖嬰耶穌基督。從那天起在他的身上人們就得到鼓勵為他人的利益而行善。
而這個時候正是我們思想上帝差他的獨生子是為了「去服侍他人，而並非被服侍」。他在耶穌基督裡面建立起我們以愛和服侍為中心的生活。
這個聖誕節我的禱告是，我祈禱他的樣式和教導將繼續把人們凝聚在一起，享受侍奉他人帶給自身的最大喜樂。
讚美詩「荒涼之冬」，以一個問題結尾，反問我們每一個人誰知道聖誕節的故事，上帝怎樣在謙卑的侍奉中把他自己給了我們。「這樣貧窮卑微的我，能給他什麼？如果我是當時的一個牧羊人，我將帶去一隻羊羔，如果我是智慧人，我將做我自己應做的部分。」那首讚美詩為我們給出了答案，「然而，我所能夠給予他的，只是我的心而已。」
祝願所有人聖誕快樂。以下是英文原版：
This past year has been one of great celebration for many. The enthusiasm which greeted the Diamond Jubilee was, of course, especially memorable for me and my family. It was humbling that so many chose to mark the anniversary of a duty which passed to me sixty years ago. People of all ages took the trouble to take part in various ways and in many nations. But perhaps most striking of all was to witness the strength of fellowship and friendship among those who had gathered together on these occasions.
Prince Philip and I were joined by our family on the River Thames as we paid tribute to those who have shaped the United Kingdom’s past and future as a maritime nation, and welcomed a wonderful array of craft, large and small, from across the Commonwealth. On the barges and the bridges and the banks of the river there were people who had taken their places to cheer through the mist, undaunted by the rain. That day there was a tremendous sense of common determination to celebrate, triumphing over the elements.
That same spirit was also in evidence from the moment the Olympic flame arrived on these shores. The flame itself drew hundreds and thousands of people on its journey around the British Isles, and was carried by every kind of deserving individual, many nominated for their own extraordinary service.
As London hosted a splendid summer of sport, all those who saw the achievement and courage at the Olympic and Paralympic Games were further inspired by the skill, dedication, training and teamwork of our athletes. In pursuing their own sporting goals, they gave the rest of us the opportunity to share something of the excitement and drama.
We were reminded, too, that the success of these great festivals depended to an enormous degree upon the dedication and effort of an army of volunteers. Those public-spirited people came forward in the great tradition of all those who devote themselves to keeping others safe, supported and comforted.
For many, Christmas is also a time for coming together. But for others, service will come first. Those serving in our Armed Forces, in our Emergency Services and in our hospitals, whose sense of duty takes them away from family and friends, will be missing those they love. And those who have lost loved ones may find this day especially full of memories. That’s why it’s important at this time of year to reach out beyond our familiar relationships to think of those who are on their own.
At Christmas I am always struck by how the spirit of togetherness lies also at the heart of the Christmas story. A young mother and a dutiful father with their baby were joined by poor shepherds and visitors from afar. They came with their gifts to worship the Christ child. From that day on he has inspired people to commit themselves to the best interests of others.
This is the time of year when we remember that God sent his only son 『to serve, not to be served』. He restored love and service to the centre of our lives in the person of Jesus Christ. It is my prayer this Christmas Day that his example and teaching will continue to bring people together to give the best of themselves in the service of others.
The carol, 『In the Bleak Midwinter』, ends by asking a question of all of us who know the Christmas story, of how God gave himself to us in humble service: 『What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part』. The carol gives the answer, 『Yet what I can I give him – give my heart』.
I wish you all a very happy Christmas.