There is a timeless simplicity to the pull of home. For many, the idea of home reaches beyond a physical building, to a home town or city."— Queen Elizabeth II's Christmas speech 2017 當地時間12月25日，英國女王伊莉莎白二世發表了一年一度的聖誕致辭。在今年的致辭中，女王以「家」為主題，分享了自己對於「家」的定義(places of warmth, familiarity and love, of shared stories and memories)，並向在倫敦及曼城恐襲中受到傷害卻仍舊勇敢堅毅的人們致以了敬意。女王在致辭中還提到了自己的丈夫菲利普親王，表示("I don't know that anyone had invented the term 'platinum' for a 70th wedding anniversary. When I was born, you weren't expected to be around that long.")(小編不禁高呼：這把糖好甜!)
中英雙語：
Sixty years ago today, a young woman spoke about the speed of technological change as she presented the first television broadcast of its kind. She described the moment as a landmark.
六十年前的今天，有位年輕女性第一次通過電視發表了聖誕致辭。她感慨技術發展日新月異，說那是一個有裡程碑意義的歷史時刻。
「Television has made it possible for many of you to see me in your homes on Christmas Day. My own family often gather round to watch television, as they are at this moment. And that is how I imagine you now.」
電視能讓很多人在聖誕節當天從家裡就看到我。我的家人常聚在一起看電視，他們這一刻也是如此，我想你們現在也是一樣。
Six decades on, the presenter has "evolved" somewhat, as has the technology she described. Back then, who could have imagined that people would one day be watching this on laptops and mobile phones — as some of you are today. But I'm also struck by something that hasn't changed. That, whatever the technology, many of you will be watching this at home.
六十年過去了，演講者也像她所描述的技術那樣，「升級」了一些。過去，誰能想到人們有一天能像現在這樣，從電腦和手機上看演講。但是，一個不曾改變的事實更讓我觸動：無論技術怎樣迭代更新，大部分人還是會在家裡收聽我的演講。
We think of our homes as places of warmth, familiarity and love; of shared stories and memories, which is perhaps why at this time of year so many return to where they grew up. There is a timeless simplicity to the pull of home.
家是我們熟悉的溫暖港灣，它承載著家人的愛、故事和記憶。這大概也是為什麼每年此刻，人們會回到養育他們長大的地方，家的召喚簡單樸素，卻總是魂牽夢縈。
For many, the idea of "home" reaches beyond a physical building to a home town or city. This Christmas, I think of London and Manchester, whose powerful identities shone through over the past twelve months in the face of appalling attacks. In Manchester, those targeted included children who had gone to see their favorite singer. A few days after the bombing, I had the privilege of meeting some of the young survivors and their parents.
對許多人而言，「家」的概念已超越自家房屋，拓展到一座城鎮。聖誕節之際，我想到了倫敦和曼徹斯特，在過去的十二個月裡，面對恐怖襲擊，這兩座城市堅強的品格依舊熠熠生輝。在曼徹斯特，受害者還包括那些去看偶像演唱會的孩子。爆炸發生幾天後，我榮幸地探望了幾個年輕的倖存者和他們的父母。
I describe that hospital visit as a "privilege" because the patients I met were an example to us all, showing extraordinary bravery and resilience. Indeed, many of those who survived the attack came together just days later for a benefit concert. It was a powerful reclaiming of the ground, and of the city those young people call home.
我之所以稱其為一種「榮幸」，是因為這些倖存者們展現了非凡的勇氣和堅韌，是我們所有人的榜樣。實際上，幾天後，許多這次襲擊的倖存者聚集在一起，舉辦了義演音樂會。這是象徵他們奪回這片土地、這座城市的最強音，這是那些年輕人的家園。
We expect our homes to be a place of safety — "sanctuary" even — which makes it all the more shocking when the comfort they provide is shattered. A few weeks ago, The Prince of Wales visited the Caribbean in the aftermath of hurricanes that destroyed entire communities. And here in London, who can forget the sheer awfulness of the Grenfell Tower fire?
我們希望家是安全的地方，是我們的「避風港」。因此，當這種安寧被打破時，無人不震驚。幾周前，威爾斯親王造訪了加勒比地區，在那裡，颶風肆虐摧毀了整個家園。而在倫敦，誰會忘記格倫菲爾大火的慘劇?
Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who died and those who lost so much; and we are indebted to members of the emergency services who risked their own lives, this past year, saving others. Many of them, of course, will not be at home today because they are working, to protect us.
我們的思念和祈禱，與那些逝者以及遭受重創的人們同在。同時，我們也要感激我們的緊急救護人員。這一年，他們冒著生命危險搶救生命。他們當中不少人今天並不能回家與家人相聚，因為他們還要堅守在自己的崗位上，守護著我們。
Reflecting on these events makes me grateful for the blessings of home and family, and in particular for 70 years of marriage. I don't know that anyone had invented the term "platinum" for a 70th wedding anniversary when I was born. You weren't expected to be around that long. Even Prince Philip has decided it's time to slow down a little — having, as he economically put it, "done his bit".
反思這些事件讓我感恩我的家庭所受到的庇佑，特別是我七十年的婚姻。在我小時候，我並不知道有人將結婚七十周年稱為「白金婚」。那會估計沒人會想到有人能活那麼久。甚至連菲利普親王都決定，是時候放慢一些腳步了，用他的話簡單說，他已經「盡了自己一份力」。
But I know his support and unique sense of humor will remain as strong as ever, as we enjoy spending time this Christmas with our family and look forward to welcoming new members into it next year.
我知道他的支持以及他獨特的幽默感將依舊如故。這個聖誕節，我們也正和家人們在一起共度美好時光，同時一起期待明年家庭裡新成員的到來。
In 2018 I will open my home to a different type of family: the leaders of the fifty-two nations of the Commonwealth, as they gather in the UK for a summit. The Commonwealth has an inspiring way of bringing people together, be it through the Commonwealth Games — which begin in a few months' time on Australia's Gold Coast — or through bodies like the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra & Choir: a reminder of how truly vibrant this international family is.
2018年，我將敞開家門迎接一群特殊的家人：52個聯邦國的首腦將前來英國參加峰會。大英國協總是以一種鼓舞人心的方式將人們聚在一起，無論是像幾個月後將在澳大利亞黃金海岸舉行的聯邦國運動會，還是像大英國協青年管弦樂團和合唱團這樣的團體，這些都提醒著我們，這個國際大家庭是多麼具有生機與活力。
Today we celebrate Christmas, which itself is sometimes described as a festival of the home. Families travel long distances to be together. Volunteers and charities, as well as many churches, arrange meals for the homeless and those who would otherwise be alone on Christmas Day.
今天，我們歡慶聖誕，這個也被稱為合家團聚的節日，家人們不遠萬裡，趕回家中相聚。志願者和慈善機構，還有許多教會，為無家可歸以及在聖誕節這天孤身的人們提供餐食。
We remember the birth of Jesus Christ whose only sanctuary was a stable in Bethlehem. He knew rejection, hardship and persecution; and yet it is Jesus Christ's generous love and example which has inspired me through good times and bad.
我們猶記耶穌基督出生時，伯利恆(耶穌誕生地)的一個馬廄是他唯一的避難所。他遭受過排擠，經歷過苦難與迫害。然而，正是他的慈愛和善舉激勵著我走過人生的起起落落。
Whatever your own experiences this year; wherever and however you are watching, I wish you a peaceful and very happy Christmas.
無論你今年經歷了什麼，無論你身處何處，以何種方式觀看我的講話，我都祝願你聖誕快樂，平安幸福。（中英文來源於中國日報）