2020年圣诞节，英国女王伊丽莎白二世发表她每年一次的圣诞讲演。依“英国范儿”公号多年传统，我实况收听女王演讲，后听译，整理出演讲英文稿与中文译本，供读者参考。
今年年初，当新冠病毒在武汉施虐，我曾提醒英国朋友小心，而那时他们觉得covid-19是天另一边的事情，与他们无关。后来，病毒传入英国，英国政府宣布群体免疫，我还和朋友说，我们即将见证两种截然不同的社会制度应对同样威胁，究竟谁会更有效，这是一个难得的观察机会。
我是英国的拥趸，对“free and open society”怀有无尽的好感，尤其那时身边多数人对政府应对措施普遍不满，我希望英国的“群体免疫”被证明更有效。然而，后来的事实证明：“free and open”不是万能药，至少在病毒面前，弱鸡到几乎束手无策。
2020年即将过去，而新冠病毒却还没有要离开的样子。就在今天，望京发现新冠感染者，整个望京SOHO被要求全员核酸检测，我的几个朋友身处其中，希望他们一切都好。
女王精神状态不如去年，满脸憔悴，但她的圣诞演讲依旧句丽词工，有韵律感，于平易中充满力量。女王从圣诞灯火说起，进而将希望比喻成心中的灯火。在女王看来，内心的希望不灭，生命就一定有出路，生活就一定会继续。让我记忆尤其深刻的一句，是她说，2020年，这个让人不得不保持距离的年份，在某种程度上，却神奇地拉近了人与人的距离。
2020年，我换了工作。作为一个对工作偏执狂热打工人，何况为人夫为人父，我更没时间为英国范儿撰文，甚是遗憾。今天以此演讲译文也是我对不离不弃英国范儿读者问候，希望大家在这多事之秋保持健康与安全。Merry Christmas!
Every year we herald the coming of Christmas by turning on the lights. And light does more than create a festive mood — light brings hope.
每年圣诞来临，我们点亮灯火。灯火，不仅用来装饰节日，它还给我们带来了希望。
For Christians, Jesus is ‘the light of the world’, but we can’t celebrate his birth today in quite the usual way. People of all faiths have been unable to gather as they would wish for their festivals, such as Passover, Easter, Eid and Vaisakhi. But we need life to go on.
对基督徒而言，耶稣是世界的光。然而，这次我们无法用习以为常的方式为他庆生。今年，无论你信仰什么，你都难以加入人群，为你们的节日庆祝，无论是逾越节、复活节、或是收获节。然而，无论怎样，生活还必须继续。
Last month, fireworks lit up the sky around Windsor, as Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, providing joyous moments of hope and unity — despite social distancing.
上个月，当印度教、锡克教、耆那教共庆排灯节的时候，绚烂的烟火也照亮了温莎堡的天空。节日灯火，那一刻让我们欢愉，它带给人们希望与团结，即使人们不得不保持社交距离。
Remarkably, a year that has necessarily kept people apart has, in many ways, brought us closer. Across the Commonwealth, my family and I have been inspired by stories of people volunteering in their communities, helping those in need.
今年是人们不得不保持空间距离的年份，然而，它却也在很多时候神奇地让我们走得更近。在英联邦很多地方，志愿者团结起来帮助处于困境中的人们，这些故事让我和我的家人深受感动和鼓舞。
In the United Kingdom and around the world, people have risen magnificently to the challenges of the year, and I am so proud and moved by this quiet, indomitable spirit. To our young people in particular I say thank you for the part you have played.
在英国和世界很多地方，人们挺身而出，以卓越的身姿，勇敢面对这一年的挑战。我被这种安静和坚韧的精神感动，并深深以你们为傲。尤其是年轻人，我对你们践行，表示赞赏和感激。
This year, we celebrated International Nurses’ Day, on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. As with other nursing pioneers like Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale shone a lamp of hope across the world.
今年，弗洛伦斯·南丁格尔诞辰200周年的时候，我们共同庆祝了国际护士节。弗洛伦斯·南丁格尔，与其他护士先驱一起（如玛丽·西科），曾为这个世界点燃了一盏灯。
Today, our frontline services still shine that lamp for us – supported by the amazing achievements of modern science – and we owe them a debt of gratitude.
今天，那些依然奋战在抗疫前线的医生护士，借助现代科学的非凡成就，为我们继续燃着这盏灯，我们该对他们诚挚地表达感谢。
We continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers and draw comfort that – even on the darkest nights – there is hope in the new dawn.

不少陌生人的善意让我们深受鼓舞，即使深处暗夜，我们也不必担惊受怕，黎明来临，希望尽在咫尺。
Jesus touched on this with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The man who is robbed and left at the roadside is saved by someone who did not share his religion or culture. This wonderful story of kindness is still as relevant today.
耶稣给我们讲过的好撒玛利亚人的事迹，他用这个故事告诉我们：“善”跨越宗教与文化，在今天，我们尤其感同身受。
Good Samaritans have emerged across society showing care and respect for all, regardless of gender, race or background, reminding us that each one of us is special and equal in the eyes of God.
善人在各处践行善举，对人展示关爱与尊重。这种善行跨越性别、宗族、和背景，并不断提醒我们，上帝眼中，我们每个人既特别也平等。
The teachings of Christ have served as my inner light, as has the sense of purpose we can find in coming together to worship.
基督的教诲点燃我内心的光亮，也让我明白，我们缘何聚在一起，共同祷告。
In November, we commemorated another hero – though nobody knows his name. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior isn’t a large memorial, but everyone entering Westminster Abbey has to walk around his resting place, honouring this unnamed combatant of the First World War — a symbol of selfless duty and ultimate sacrifice.
11月，我们纪念了一位无名英雄。无名英雄的墓碑并不雄伟，但每个步入西敏寺的人，都会在他的墓碑前驻足，纪念这位一战中的无名勇士，因为他是无私和奉献品质的化身。
The Unknown Warrior was not exceptional. That’s the point. He represents millions like him who throughout our history have put the lives of others above their own, and will be doing so today. For me, this is a source of enduring hope in difficult and unpredictable times.
这位无名战士绝非个例，我们的历史上，有千百万和他一样的无名英雄，他们把别人的生命置于自己的生命之上。即使在今天，无名英雄依然存在，对我来说，这是我对这个时代始终抱有希望的原因，无论时代多艰难和莫测。
Of course, for many, this time of year will be tinged with sadness: some mourning the loss of those dear to them, and others missing friends and family members distanced for safety, when all they’d really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand.
当然，对很多人来说，今年这个时候会尤感暗淡悲伤：为逝去的亲人哀悼，想念被隔绝的家人和朋友，这时候，圣诞节日里，哪怕只是一个拥抱或握手，都让人觉得弥足珍贵。
If you are among them, you are not alone, and let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers.
如果你此刻正经历这些，你不要觉得孤单，我是这样想的：
The Bible tells how a star appeared in the sky, its light guiding the shepherds and wise men to the scene of Jesus’s birth. Let the light of Christmas — the spirit of selflessness, love and above all hope — guide us in the times ahead.
《圣经》告诉我们，当一个星星在夜空升起，它的光芒指引牧羊人和智者去见证耶稣的诞生。无私，爱，希望，这些是燃烧在圣诞灯火里的真正魂灵，它们会指引向前走下去，一直走下去。
It is in that spirit that I wish you a very happy Christmas.
以此之名，我祝愿你们圣诞快乐。
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