00:00Every year, we herald the coming of Christmas by turning on the lights.
00:05And light does more than create a festive mood.
00:09Light brings hope.
00:11For Christians, Jesus is the light of the world,
00:15but we can't celebrate his birth today in quite the usual way.
00:21People of all faiths have been unable to gather as they would wish for their festivals,
00:27such as Passover, Easter, Eid, and Visaki.
00:33But we need life to go on.
00:36Last month, fireworks lit up the sky around Windsor
00:39as Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights,
00:46providing joyous moments of hope and unity despite social distancing.
00:53Remarkably, a year that has necessarily kept people apart
00:56has in many ways brought us closer.
01:00Across the Commonwealth, my family and I have been inspired
01:03by stories of people volunteering in their communities,
01:08helping those in need.
01:10In the United Kingdom and around the world,
01:14people have risen magnificently to the challenges of the year.
01:17And I am so proud and moved by this quiet, indomitable spirit.
01:23To our young people in particular, I say thank you for the part you have played.
01:29This year, we celebrated International Nurses Day
01:32on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale.
01:37As with other nursing pioneers like Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale shone a lamp of hope across the world.
01:46Today, our frontline services still shine that lamp for us,
01:50supported by the amazing achievements of modern science,
01:55and we owe them a debt of gratitude.
01:58We continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers
02:02and draw comfort that even on the darkest nights,
02:06there is hope in the new dawn.
02:10Jesus touched on this with the parable of the Good Samaritan.
02:13The man who is robbed and left at the roadside
02:17is saved by someone who did not share his religion or culture.
02:22This wonderful story of kindness is still as relevant today.
02:28Good Samaritans have emerged across society,
02:31showing care and respect for all,
02:34regardless of gender, race and background,
02:37reminding us that each one of us is special and equal in the eyes of God.
02:44The teachings of Christ have served as my inner light,
02:48as has the sense of purpose we can find in coming together to worship.
02:56In November, we commemorated another hero,
03:00though nobody knows his name.
03:04The tomb of the unknown warrior isn't a large memorial,
03:08but everyone entering Westminster Abbey
03:11has to walk around his resting place,
03:14honouring this unnamed combatant of the First World War,
03:19a symbol of selfless duty and ultimate sacrifice.
03:24The unknown warrior was not exceptional.
03:27That's the point.
03:30He represents millions like him,
03:32who throughout our history have put the lives of others above their own,
03:37and will be doing so today.
03:41For me, this is a source of enduring hope in difficult and unpredictable times.
03:49Of course, for many, this time of year will be tinged with sadness,
03:54some mourning the loss of those dear to them,
03:57and others missing friends and family members distanced for safety,
04:03when all they'd really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand.
04:09If you are among them, you are not alone.
04:13And let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers.
04:18The Bible tells how a star appeared in the sky,
04:22its light guiding the shepherds and wise men to the scene of Jesus' birth.
04:29Let the light of Christmas, the spirit of selflessness, love, and above all hope,
04:36guide us in the times ahead.
04:39It is in that spirit that I wish you a very happy Christmas.
04:50Joy to the world, the Lord is found,
04:55let earth receive her being,
05:00let every heart prepare him room,
05:06and let them let me just sing,
05:09let them let me just sing,
05:12let them let me just sing.
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