Christmas Broadcast 2008

Published

When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.

The Queen's 2008 Christmas Broadcast focused on celebration and reflection in the year that The Prince of Wales celebrated his 60th birthday.

Christmas is a time for celebration, but this year it is a more sombre occasion for many. Some of those things which could once have been taken for granted suddenly seem less certain and, naturally, give rise to feelings of insecurity.

People are touched by events which have their roots far across the world. Whether it is the global economy or violence in a distant land, the effects can be keenly felt at home. Once again, many of our service men and women are serving on operations in common cause to bring peace and security to troubled places.

In this ninetieth year since the end of the First World War, the last survivors recently commemorated the service and enormous sacrifice of their own generation. Their successors in theatres such as Iraq and Afghanistan are still to be found in harm’s way in the service of others. For their loved ones, the worry will never cease until they are safely home.

In such times as these we can all learn some lessons from the past. We might begin to see things in a new perspective. And certainly, we begin to ask ourselves where it is that we can find lasting happiness.

Over the years, those who have seemed to me to be the most happy, contented and fulfilled have always been the people who have lived the most outgoing and unselfish lives; the kind of people who are generous with their talents or their time. There are those who use their prosperity or good fortune for the benefit of others whether they number among the great philanthropists or are people who, with whatever they have, simply have a desire to help those less fortunate than themselves.

What they offer comes in the form of what can easily be recognised as service to the nation or service to the wider community. As often as not however, their unselfishness is a simply-taken-for-granted part of the life of their family or neighbourhood.

They tend to have some sense that life itself is full of blessings, and is a precious gift for which we should be thankful. When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.

I think we have a huge amount to learn from individuals such as these. And what I believe many of us share with them is a source of strength and peace of mind in our families and friends. Indeed, Prince Philip and I can reflect on the blessing, comfort and support we have gained from our own family in this special year for our son, The Prince of Wales.

Sixty years ago, he was baptised here in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace. As parents and grandparents, we feel great pride in seeing our family make their own unique contributions to society. Through his charities, The Prince of Wales has worked to support young people and other causes for the benefit of the wider community, and now his sons are following in his footsteps.

At Christmas, we feel very fortunate to have our family around us. But for many of you, this Christmas will mean separation from loved ones and perhaps reflection on the memories of those no longer with us.

I hope that, like me, you will be comforted by the example of Jesus of Nazareth who, often in circumstances of great adversity, managed to live an outgoing, unselfish and sacrificial life. Countless millions of people around the world continue to celebrate his birthday at Christmas, inspired by his teaching. He makes it clear that genuine human happiness and satisfaction lie more in giving than receiving; more in serving than in being served.

We can surely be grateful that, two thousand years after the birth of Jesus, so many of us are able to draw inspiration from his life and message, and to find in him a source of strength and courage. I hope that the Christmas message will encourage and sustain you too, now and in the coming year.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas.

Related content

The Queen's Commonwealth Day Message 2021

Stirring examples of courage, commitment and selfless dedication to duty have been demonstrated in every Commonwealth nation and territory.

07 March 2021
Feature

The 75th Anniversary of VE Day

The 75th Anniversary of VE Day
News

Commonwealth Day 2020

09 March 2020

The Queen's 2020 Commonwealth Day Message

Such a blend of traditions serves to make us stronger, individually and collectively, by providing the ingredients needed for social, political and economic resilience

09 March 2020

A speech by The Countess of Wessex celebrating the work of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust

On behalf of the people The Trust has helped thank you to each and every one of you for all your incredible support, and to Your Majesty thank you for choosing to give the...

29 October 2019
News

International Youth Day 2019

12 August 2019
Feature

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018

Find out more about Royal events at this year's meeting, which is being held in London
News

Commonwealth Day 2018

12 March 2018

A Message from Her Majesty The Queen on the opening of the 2017 Commonwealth Science Conference

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the Commonwealth Science Conference in Singapore following the success of the Bangalore Conference in 2014. I am very grateful...

13 June 2017

A message from Her Majesty The Queen to the people of Barbados on the 50th Anniversary of Independence

Since you became an independent country in 1966, you have continued to flourish and grow into a strong and confident nation.

30 November 2016

A speech by Prince Harry on the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy dedication in St Lucia

On behalf of my grandmother, The Queen, I am grateful to the Government and the people of St. Lucia for this most generous contribution.

27 November 2016
Feature

Remembrance 2016

The Queen and the Royal Family attend engagements to mark Remembrance 2016
News

Royal Maundy Service 2016

24 March 2016

The Queen's Commonwealth Day message, 14 March 2016

Being inclusive and accepting diversity goes far deeper than accepting differences at face value and being tolerant.

14 March 2016
Feature

The Queen's Young Leaders

The Queen’s Young Leader Award celebrates exceptional people from across the Commonwealth

The Queen's Message to the Athletes

The baton relay represents a calling together of people from every part of the Commonwealth.

23 July 2014

Commonwealth Day message 2008

In the Commonwealth, governments, businesses, communities and individuals should each strive to match words and good intentions with deeds. Every contribution has its part to...

10 March 2008

Christmas Broadcast 2015

I have been warned I may have Happy Birthday sung to me more than once or twice.

25 December 2015

Commonwealth Day message 2007

Despite its size and scale, the Commonwealth to me is still at heart a collection of villages.

12 March 2007

Opening the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Nigeria, 5 December 2005

The Commonwealth is one of the great partnerships of the world where rich and poor, large and small, work together for the common good.

05 December 2015

A speech by The Queen at the CHOGM Dinner, Malta, 2015

Thank you, Mr Prime Minister of Canada, for making me feel so old!

27 November 2015

A speech by The Queen at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta, 2015

Ladies and gentlemen, I feel enormously proud of what the Commonwealth has achieved, and all of it within my lifetime

27 November 2015

A speech by The Queen at the Inauguration of the General Synod, 2015

St. Paul reminds us that all Christians, as ambassadors for Christ, are entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation.

24 November 2015

Christmas Broadcast 2011

It is through this lens of history that we should view the conflicts of today, and so give us hope for tomorrow.

17 November 2015

Christmas Broadcast 2012

At Christmas I am always struck by how the spirit of togetherness lies also at the heart of the Christmas story.

17 November 2015

Christmas Broadcast 1997

Being united - that is, feeling a unity of purpose - is the glue that bonds together the members of a family, a country, a Commonwealth.

16 November 2015

Christmas Broadcast 2002

All great religions have such times of renewal, moments to take stock before moving on to face the challenges which lie ahead.

16 November 2015

Christmas Broadcast 1977

My hope this Christmas is that the Christian spirit of reconciliation may burn as strongly in our hearts during the coming year.

11 November 2015

Christmas Broadcast 1972

In the United Kingdom we have our own particular sorrows in Northern Ireland and I want to send a special message of sympathy to all those men, women and children who have...

10 November 2015

Christmas Broadcast 1974

My message today is one of encouragement and hope.

10 November 2015

Christmas Broadcast 1975

Then Christmas comes, and once again we are reminded that people matter, and it is our relationship with one another that is most important.

10 November 2015