0:00:02 > 0:00:05MUSIC: The National Anthem
0:00:20 > 0:00:26# God save our gracious Queen
0:00:26 > 0:00:32# Long live our noble Queen
0:00:32 > 0:00:37# God save the Queen
0:00:38 > 0:00:44# Send her victorious
0:00:44 > 0:00:49# Happy and glorious
0:00:49 > 0:00:57# Long to reign over us
0:00:57 > 0:01:04# God save the Queen
0:01:07 > 0:01:12# Thy choicest gifts in store
0:01:12 > 0:01:18# On her be pleased to pour
0:01:18 > 0:01:24# Long may she reign
0:01:24 > 0:01:29# May she defend our laws
0:01:29 > 0:01:35# And ever give us cause
0:01:35 > 0:01:42# To sing with heart and voice... #
0:01:42 > 0:01:43- Hip, hip! - ALL:- Hooray!
0:01:43 > 0:01:51# God save the Queen. #
0:01:57 > 0:01:59At this time of year,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02few sights evoke more feelings of cheer and goodwill
0:02:02 > 0:02:05than the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10The popularity of a tree at Christmas is due in part
0:02:10 > 0:02:15to my great-great-grandparents, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20After this touching picture was published, many families
0:02:20 > 0:02:24wanted a Christmas tree of their own, and the custom soon spread.
0:02:26 > 0:02:32In 1949, I spent Christmas in Malta as a newly married naval wife.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36We have returned to that island over the years,
0:02:36 > 0:02:40including last month for a meeting of Commonwealth leaders.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44And this year, I met another group of leaders -
0:02:44 > 0:02:48The Queen's Young Leaders, an inspirational group,
0:02:48 > 0:02:52each of them a symbol of hope in their own Commonwealth communities.
0:02:53 > 0:02:59Gathering round the tree gives us a chance to think about the year ahead.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02I am looking forward to a busy 2016,
0:03:02 > 0:03:04though I have been warned
0:03:04 > 0:03:08I may have Happy Birthday sung to me more than once or twice.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15It also allows us to reflect on the year that has passed,
0:03:15 > 0:03:18as we think of those who are far away or no longer with us.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24Many people say the first Christmas after losing a loved one
0:03:24 > 0:03:25is particularly hard.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31But it's also a time to remember all that we have to be thankful for.
0:03:32 > 0:03:37It is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness
0:03:37 > 0:03:42this year, but the Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope,
0:03:42 > 0:03:46often read at Christmas carol services -
0:03:46 > 0:03:48"The light shines in the darkness,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51"and the darkness has not overcome it."
0:03:53 > 0:03:57One cause for thankfulness this summer was marking 70 years
0:03:57 > 0:03:59since the end of the Second World War.
0:04:01 > 0:04:06On VJ Day, we honoured the remaining veterans of that terrible conflict in
0:04:06 > 0:04:11the Far East, as well as remembering the thousands who never returned.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16The procession from Horse Guards Parade to Westminster Abbey
0:04:16 > 0:04:18must have been one of the slowest ever,
0:04:18 > 0:04:22because so many people wanted to say thank you to them.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28At the end of that war, the people of Oslo began sending an annual gift
0:04:28 > 0:04:31of a Christmas tree for Trafalgar Square.
0:04:33 > 0:04:38It has 500 light bulbs and is enjoyed not just by Christians,
0:04:38 > 0:04:41but by people of all faiths, and of none.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47At the very top sits a bright star, to represent the Star of Bethlehem.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54The custom of topping a tree also goes back to Prince Albert's time.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00For his family's tree, he chose an angel, helping to remind us
0:05:00 > 0:05:04that the focus of the Christmas story is on one particular family.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11For Joseph and Mary, the circumstances of Jesus' birth -
0:05:11 > 0:05:15in a stable - were far from ideal,
0:05:15 > 0:05:19but worse was to come as the family was forced to flee the country.
0:05:21 > 0:05:26It is no surprise that such a human story still captures our imagination
0:05:26 > 0:05:31and continues to inspire all of us who are Christians, the world over.
0:05:32 > 0:05:38Despite being displaced and persecuted throughout his short life,
0:05:38 > 0:05:43Christ's unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence
0:05:43 > 0:05:46but simply that we should love one another.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Although it is not an easy message to follow,
0:05:51 > 0:05:57we shouldn't be discouraged. Rather, it inspires us to try harder,
0:05:57 > 0:06:01to be thankful for the people who bring love and happiness
0:06:01 > 0:06:05into our own lives, and to look for ways of spreading
0:06:05 > 0:06:10that love to others, whenever and wherever we can.
0:06:12 > 0:06:17One of the joys of living a long life is watching one's children,
0:06:17 > 0:06:21then grandchildren, then great-grandchildren,
0:06:21 > 0:06:23help decorate the Christmas tree.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27And this year my family has a new member to join in the fun.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33The customary decorations have changed little in the years
0:06:33 > 0:06:37since that picture of Victoria and Albert's tree first appeared,
0:06:37 > 0:06:41although, of course, electric lights have replaced the candles.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46There's an old saying, that "it is better to light a candle
0:06:46 > 0:06:48"than curse the darkness."
0:06:49 > 0:06:54There are millions of people lighting candles of hope in our world today.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59Christmas is a good time to be thankful for them,
0:06:59 > 0:07:02and for all that brings light to our lives.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05I wish you a very happy Christmas.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12# Away in a manger
0:07:12 > 0:07:16# No crib for a bed
0:07:16 > 0:07:20# The little Lord Jesus
0:07:20 > 0:07:24# Laid down His sweet head
0:07:24 > 0:07:29# The stars in the bright sky
0:07:29 > 0:07:33# Looked down where He lay
0:07:33 > 0:07:37# The little Lord Jesus
0:07:37 > 0:07:42# Asleep on the hay
0:07:43 > 0:07:48# The cattle are lowing
0:07:48 > 0:07:52# The baby awakes
0:07:52 > 0:07:56# But little Lord Jesus
0:07:56 > 0:08:00# No crying, He makes
0:08:00 > 0:08:04# I love Thee, Lord Jesus
0:08:04 > 0:08:09# Look down from the sky
0:08:09 > 0:08:12# And stay by my side
0:08:12 > 0:08:17# Until morning is nigh
0:08:17 > 0:08:21# Oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh
0:08:21 > 0:08:24# Oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh
0:08:24 > 0:08:27# Be near me, Lord Jesus
0:08:27 > 0:08:32# I ask Thee to stay
0:08:32 > 0:08:36# Close by me for ever
0:08:36 > 0:08:40# And love me, I pray
0:08:40 > 0:08:45# Bless all the dear children
0:08:45 > 0:08:48# In Thy tender care
0:08:48 > 0:08:53# And fit us for heaven
0:08:53 > 0:08:58# To live with Thee there
0:08:58 > 0:09:04# To live with Thee there. #