“For many, the service of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College, Cambridge, is when Christmas begins. Listened to by millions of people around the world, it starts with a chorister singing the first verse of Once in Royal David’s City.
于許多人而言,劍橋大學(xué)國王學(xué)院的“九篇讀經(jīng)與圣誕頌歌慶典”教堂禮拜,象征著圣誕節(jié)的伊始。來自世界各地?cái)?shù)百萬人都會(huì)聆聽這一盛典,它的序幕,將在一位合唱團(tuán)男童領(lǐng)唱《昔日在大衛(wèi)王城中》的第一段中拉開。
“The priest who introduced this service to King’s College chapel, exactly one hundred years ago, was Eric Milner-White. He had served as a military chaplain in the First World War. Just six weeks after the Armistice, he wanted a new kind of service which, with its message of peace and goodwill, spoke to the needs of the times.
整整百年之前,是神父埃里克米爾納-懷特將這套慶典引進(jìn)國王學(xué)院禮拜堂。第一次世界大戰(zhàn)期間,他曾是一名隨軍牧師。就在停戰(zhàn)協(xié)定簽訂的六周后,他希望用這樣一套新的禮拜儀式,把和平和友善的精神,傳遞給那個(gè)年代正需要它們的人們。
“Twenty eighteen has been a year of centenaries. The Royal Air Force celebrated its 100th anniversary with a memorable fly-past demonstrating a thrilling unity of purpose and execution. We owe them and all our Armed Services our deepest gratitude.
2018年,是百年紀(jì)念的一年。在這一年,英國皇家空軍為慶祝誕生100周年,組織進(jìn)行了一場值得紀(jì)念的飛行表演,展示出目標(biāo)與執(zhí)行的驚人一致。在此,對皇家空軍與所有服務(wù)于我們的軍隊(duì),致以最深切的感謝。
“My father served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. He was a midshipman in HMS Collingwood at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. The British fleet lost 14 ships and 6,000 men in that engagement. My father wrote in a letter: ‘How and why we were not hit beats me’. Like others, he lost friends in the war.
遙想第一次世界大戰(zhàn)時(shí),我的父親在皇家海軍服役。在1916年的日德蘭半島之戰(zhàn)中,他是科林伍德皇家海軍學(xué)院的一位候補(bǔ)少尉。那次戰(zhàn)斗中,英國軍隊(duì)損失了14艘船,6000條鮮活的生命葬身大海。父親在一封信中寫道:“我甚至不知道,我們是怎樣從槍林彈雨中生還的?!焙推渌芏嗳艘粯?,在這場戰(zhàn)爭中,他也失去了很多朋友。
“At Christmas, we become keenly aware of loved ones who have died, whatever the circumstances. But, of course, we would not grieve if we did not love.
在圣誕節(jié)闔家歡聚之時(shí),無論何種情境,都讓我們更為清晰地感受到親人離去的痛楚。但如若心中無愛,自然也不會(huì)有悲傷。
“Closer to home, it’s been a busy year for my family, with two weddings and two babies, and another child expected soon. It helps to keep a grandmother well occupied. We have had other celebrations too, including the 70th birthday of The Prince of Wales.
說到我的家庭,今年的家事尤為忙碌。我們舉辦了兩場婚禮,迎來兩個(gè)嬰兒,還有一個(gè)孩子即將誕生。這些都會(huì)讓我這祖母繼續(xù)忙碌。我們還舉行了其他慶?;顒?dòng),包括威爾士親王的70歲生日。
“Some cultures believe a long life brings wisdom. I’d like to think so. Perhaps part of that wisdom is to recognise some of life’s baffling paradoxes, such as the way human beings have a huge propensity for good, and yet a capacity for evil. Even the power of faith, which frequently inspires great generosity and self-sacrifice, can fall victim to tribalism.
有些文化中認(rèn)為,長壽者多智。我也樂于這么認(rèn)為。也許認(rèn)識(shí)到生命中那些令人困惑的悖論,就是那種智慧的一部分。例如人性本善,但亦有成為惡魔的天賦。信仰的力量也是如此,它能激發(fā)慷慨和偉大的犧牲精神,亦可讓人臣服于部落主義的野蠻與殘暴。
“But through the many changes I have seen over the years, faith, family and friendship have been not only a constant for me but a source of personal comfort and reassurance.
但縱觀這些年間諸事變遷。我的信仰,家庭和友誼不僅是我永恒的堅(jiān)守,同時(shí)也是我的安撫和寬慰。
“In April, the Commonwealth Heads of Government met in London. My father welcomed just eight countries to the first such meeting in 1948. Now the Commonwealth includes 53 countries with 2.4 billion people, a third of the world’s population.
今年四月,我們舉行了英聯(lián)邦政府首腦會(huì)議,而我的父親第一次召開這個(gè)會(huì)議時(shí),還是1948年的倫敦,那時(shí)只有八個(gè)國家參與。現(xiàn)在英聯(lián)邦已經(jīng)擁有了53個(gè)聯(lián)盟國家,有了24億人民,相當(dāng)于三分之一的世界人口。
“Its strength lies in the bonds of affection it promotes, and a common desire to live in a better, more peaceful world.
英聯(lián)邦的力量源于它所促進(jìn)的情感紐帶,也源于一個(gè)共同愿景,那就是生活在更美好、更和平的世界中。
“Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding.
即使彼此間存在最根深蒂固的分歧,視對方為同儕、待他人以尊重永遠(yuǎn)是增進(jìn)理解的第一步。
“Indeed, the Commonwealth Games, held this year on Australia’s Gold Coast, are known universally as the Friendly Games because of their emphasis on goodwill and mutual respect.
事實(shí)上,今年在澳大利亞黃金海岸舉行的英聯(lián)邦運(yùn)動(dòng)會(huì),就因?yàn)閺?qiáng)調(diào)善意與相互尊重,而成為了眾所周知的友好運(yùn)動(dòng)會(huì)。
“The Christmas story retains its appeal since it doesn’t provide theoretical explanations for the puzzles of life.
圣誕節(jié)的故事仍保持著自己的魅力,它并未給我們的人生排憂解難。
“Instead it’s about the birth of a child and the hope that birth 2,000 years ago brought to the world. Only a few people acknowledged Jesus when he was born. Now billions follow him.
相反,故事所述的是一個(gè)新生兒的誕生。2000年前,他的誕生將希望給予全世界。耶穌基督在出生時(shí)少有認(rèn)可,而如今,數(shù)十億信徒追隨于他。
“I believe his message of peace on earth and goodwill to all is never out of date. It can be heeded by everyone; it’s needed as much as ever.
我堅(jiān)信,他在圣訓(xùn)中傳遞的和平和善意將永不過時(shí)。這份訓(xùn)誡被所有人聆聽和銘記著,我們也一如既往地需要著它。
“A very happy Christmas to you all.”
祝愿你們所有人圣誕節(jié)快樂。