0:00:11 > 0:00:14MUSIC: "The National Anthem"
0:00:50 > 0:00:55I once knew someone who spent a year in a plaster cast
0:00:55 > 0:00:57recovering from an operation on his back.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02He read a lot, and thought a lot, and felt miserable.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08Later, he realised this time of forced retreat from the world
0:01:08 > 0:01:11had helped him to understand the world more clearly.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection.
0:01:18 > 0:01:23With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock.
0:01:24 > 0:01:30Be it through contemplation, prayer, or even keeping a diary,
0:01:30 > 0:01:34many have found the practice of quiet personal reflection
0:01:34 > 0:01:35surprisingly rewarding,
0:01:35 > 0:01:40even discovering greater spiritual depth to their lives.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Reflection can take many forms.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49When families and friends come together at Christmas,
0:01:49 > 0:01:52it's often a time for happy memories and reminiscing.
0:01:54 > 0:01:59Our thoughts are with those we have loved who are no longer with us.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04We also remember those who through doing their duty
0:02:04 > 0:02:07cannot be at home for Christmas,
0:02:07 > 0:02:11such as workers in essential or emergency services.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17And especially at this time of year
0:02:17 > 0:02:22we think of the men and women serving overseas in our armed forces.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29We are forever grateful to all those who put themselves at risk
0:02:29 > 0:02:31to keep us safe.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37Service and duty are not just the guiding principles of yesteryear -
0:02:37 > 0:02:41they have an enduring value which spans the generations.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44CHOIR SINGS
0:02:51 > 0:02:56I myself had cause to reflect this year, at Westminster Abbey,
0:02:56 > 0:03:01on my own pledge of service made in that great church
0:03:01 > 0:03:04on Coronation Day 60 years earlier.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07All this I promise to do.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11MUSIC: "Zadok The Priest" by George Frideric Handel
0:03:17 > 0:03:23Today, we celebrate 60 years since that moment.
0:03:23 > 0:03:2660 years of commitment.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28CROWDS CHEER
0:03:28 > 0:03:31The anniversary reminded me of the remarkable changes
0:03:31 > 0:03:35that have occurred since the Coronation -
0:03:35 > 0:03:38many of them for the better -
0:03:38 > 0:03:41and of the things that have remained constant,
0:03:41 > 0:03:46such as the importance of family, friendship and good neighbourliness.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52But reflection is not just about looking back.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55I and many others are looking forward to the Commonwealth Games
0:03:55 > 0:03:57in Glasgow next year.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02The baton relay left London in October
0:04:02 > 0:04:06and is now the other side of the world,
0:04:06 > 0:04:10on its way across 70 nations and territories...
0:04:12 > 0:04:14..before arriving in Scotland next summer.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19Its journey is a reminder
0:04:19 > 0:04:22that the Commonwealth can offer us a fresh view of life.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28My son Charles summed this up at the recent meeting in Sri Lanka.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32He spoke of the Commonwealth's "family ties"
0:04:32 > 0:04:36that are a source of encouragement to many.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40Each one of us is here because of the hope and the trust
0:04:40 > 0:04:44we place in the Commonwealth
0:04:44 > 0:04:49to bring that touch of healing to our troubles
0:04:49 > 0:04:52and deliver the very best future for our people.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57Like any family, there can be differences of opinion.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00But however strongly they're expressed,
0:05:00 > 0:05:05they are held within the common bond of friendship and shared experiences.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11Here at home, my own family is a little larger this Christmas.
0:05:13 > 0:05:14As so many of you will know,
0:05:14 > 0:05:18the arrival of a baby gives everyone the chance
0:05:18 > 0:05:22to contemplate the future with renewed happiness and hope.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24So far, so good.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26LAUGHTER
0:05:26 > 0:05:32For the new parents, life will never be quite the same again!
0:05:34 > 0:05:36As with all who are christened,
0:05:36 > 0:05:41George was baptised into a joyful faith of Christian duty and service.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43One, two, three...
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Really nice. OK, so here we go.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51'After the christening, we gathered for the traditional photograph.'
0:05:51 > 0:05:54OK. Thank you. I think he's very good.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56One, two, three. Straight to me.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00George!
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- Good boy.- OK. Straight to the lens.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04One, two, three.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06- CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS - Really nice.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09It was a happy occasion...
0:06:11 > 0:06:13..bringing together four generations.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19In the year ahead, I hope you will have time
0:06:19 > 0:06:22to pause for moments of quiet reflection.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26As the man in the plaster cast discovered,
0:06:26 > 0:06:29the results can sometimes be surprising.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35For Christians, as for all people of faith,
0:06:35 > 0:06:38reflection, meditation and prayer
0:06:38 > 0:06:43help us to renew ourselves in God's love,
0:06:43 > 0:06:46as we strive daily to become better people.
0:06:47 > 0:06:52The Christmas message shows us that this love is for everyone.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55There is no-one beyond its reach.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02On the first Christmas, in the fields above Bethlehem,
0:07:02 > 0:07:07as they sat in the cold of night watching their resting sheep,
0:07:07 > 0:07:11the local shepherds must have had no shortage of time for reflection.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15Suddenly all this was to change.
0:07:15 > 0:07:20These humble shepherds were the first to hear and ponder
0:07:20 > 0:07:25the wondrous news of the birth of Christ - the first Noel -
0:07:25 > 0:07:28the joy of which we celebrate today.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33I wish you all a very happy Christmas.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37MUSIC: "The First Noel"