0:00:08 > 0:00:13MUSIC: "God Save The Queen"
0:00:55 > 0:00:59This past year has been one of great celebration for many.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03The enthusiasm which greeted the Diamond Jubilee was of course
0:01:03 > 0:01:06especially memorable for me and my family.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10It was humbling that so many chose to mark
0:01:10 > 0:01:14the anniversary of a duty which passed to me 60 years ago.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20People of all ages took the trouble to take part in various ways
0:01:20 > 0:01:23and in many nations.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26But perhaps most striking of all, was to witness
0:01:26 > 0:01:28the strength of fellowship
0:01:28 > 0:01:31and friendship among those who had gathered together
0:01:31 > 0:01:33on these occasions.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40Prince Philip and I were joined by our family on the River Thames,
0:01:40 > 0:01:43as we paid tribute to those who have shaped
0:01:43 > 0:01:47the United Kingdom's past and future as a maritime nation
0:01:47 > 0:01:53and welcomed a wonderful array of craft, large and small,
0:01:53 > 0:01:55from across the Commonwealth.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04On the barges and the bridges and the banks of the river,
0:02:04 > 0:02:06there were people who had taken their places
0:02:06 > 0:02:10to cheer through the mist, undaunted by the rain.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15That day was a tremendous sense of common determination
0:02:15 > 0:02:19to celebrate, triumphing over the elements.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23MUSIC: "The Sailor's Hornpipe"
0:02:24 > 0:02:27That same spirit was also in evidence from the moment
0:02:27 > 0:02:30the Olympic flame arrived on these shores.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32CHEERING
0:02:35 > 0:02:38The flame itself drew hundreds and thousands of people
0:02:38 > 0:02:40on its journey around the British Isles.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45And was carried by every kind of deserving individual,
0:02:45 > 0:02:49many nominated for their own extraordinary service.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02MUSIC: "Heroes" by David Bowie
0:03:06 > 0:03:10As London hosted a splendid summer of sport,
0:03:10 > 0:03:14all those who saw the achievement and courage
0:03:14 > 0:03:19at the Olympic and Paralympic Games were further inspired by the skill,
0:03:19 > 0:03:24dedication, training and teamwork of our athletes.
0:03:24 > 0:03:29In pursuing their own sporting goals, they gave the rest of us
0:03:29 > 0:03:33the opportunity to share something of the excitement and drama.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37We were reminded, too,
0:03:37 > 0:03:40that the success of these great festivals
0:03:40 > 0:03:42depended to an enormous degree
0:03:42 > 0:03:46on the dedication and effort of an army of volunteers.
0:03:48 > 0:03:53Those public-spirited people came forward in the great tradition
0:03:53 > 0:03:57of all those who devote themselves to keeping others safe,
0:03:57 > 0:03:59supported and comforted.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04For many, Christmas is also a time for coming together.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08But for others, service will come first.
0:04:09 > 0:04:14Those serving in our armed forces, in our emergency services
0:04:14 > 0:04:18and in our hospitals, whose sense of duty
0:04:18 > 0:04:20takes them away from family and friends,
0:04:20 > 0:04:22will be missing those they love.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28And those who have lost loved ones may find this day
0:04:28 > 0:04:30especially full of memories.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36That's why it's important at this time of year to reach out
0:04:36 > 0:04:41beyond our familiar relationships, to think of those who are on their own.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48At Christmas, I'm always struck by how the spirit of togetherness
0:04:48 > 0:04:51lies also at the heart of the Christmas story.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57A young mother and a dutiful father, with their baby,
0:04:57 > 0:05:01were joined by poor shepherds and visitors from afar.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06They came with their gifts to worship the Christ child.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11From that day on, He has inspired people to commit themselves
0:05:11 > 0:05:13to the best interests of others.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17This is the time of year
0:05:17 > 0:05:23when we remember that God sent His only Son to serve, not to be served.
0:05:24 > 0:05:29He restored love and service to the centre of our lives,
0:05:29 > 0:05:30in the person of Jesus Christ.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36It is my prayer this Christmas Day that His example and teaching
0:05:36 > 0:05:41will continue to bring people together,
0:05:41 > 0:05:44to give the best of themselves in the service of others.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56CHOIR HUMS
0:05:59 > 0:06:02The carol In The Bleak Midwinter
0:06:02 > 0:06:07ends by asking a question of all of us who know the Christmas story
0:06:07 > 0:06:11of how God gave Himself to us in humble service.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16"What can I give Him, poor as I am?
0:06:17 > 0:06:21"If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb,
0:06:21 > 0:06:25"If I were a wise man, I would do my part."
0:06:26 > 0:06:28The carol gives the answer.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32"Yet what I can I give Him, give my heart."
0:06:34 > 0:06:36I wish you all a very happy Christmas.
0:06:40 > 0:06:45# In the bleak midwinter
0:06:45 > 0:06:52# Frosty wind made moan
0:06:52 > 0:06:59# Earth stood hard as iron
0:06:59 > 0:07:04# Water like a stone
0:07:04 > 0:07:11# Snow had fallen, snow on snow
0:07:11 > 0:07:17# Snow on snow
0:07:17 > 0:07:23# In the bleak midwinter
0:07:23 > 0:07:32# Long ago
0:07:36 > 0:07:43# Our God, heaven cannot hold Him
0:07:43 > 0:07:49# Nor earth sustain
0:07:49 > 0:07:55# Heaven and earth shall flee away
0:07:55 > 0:08:01# When He comes to reign
0:08:01 > 0:08:07# In the bleak midwinter
0:08:07 > 0:08:13# A stable place sufficed
0:08:13 > 0:08:20# The Lord God Almighty
0:08:20 > 0:08:28# Jesus Christ. #