“I am sure someone somewhere today will remark that Christmas is a time for children.

「我知道今天一定有人會說，聖誕是小孩子的節日。

“It’s an engaging truth, but only half the story.

「這是很得人歡心的事實，但只是故事的一半。

“Perhaps it’s truer to say that Christmas can speak to the child within us all.

「也許更真實的說法是，聖誕節可以觸動到我們內心的孩童。

“Adults, when weighed down with worries, sometimes fail to see the joy in simple things, where children do not.

「成年人被憂慮纏擾時，往往無法像小孩子那樣，在簡單的事物中發現喜樂。

“And for me and my family, even with one familiar laugh missing this year, there will be joy in Christmas, as we have the chance to reminisce, and see anew the wonder of the festive season through the eyes of our young children, of whom we were delighted to welcome four more this year.

「對於我和家人來說，即使今年少了一把熟悉的笑聲，聖誕節依然充滿喜樂，因為我們有機會回憶，並透過我們孩子的眼睛，重新看到節日的奇妙，真高興今年我家又來了四個新生的孩子。

“They teach us all a lesson – just as the Christmas story does – that in the birth of a child, there is a new dawn with endless potential.

「他們讓我們明白 — 像聖誕故事所說 — 孩子的出生會帶來新曙光，伴隨着無限可能。

“It is this simplicity of the Christmas story that makes it so universally appealing, simple happenings that formed the starting point of the life of Jesus – a man whose teachings have been handed down from generation to generation, and have been the bedrock of my faith.

「聖誕故事正因為簡單，所以有一種普世吸引力，耶穌一生也是由簡單的事件展開 — 他的教誨世代相傳，成了我信仰的基石。

“His birth marked a new beginning.

「他的誕生標誌着新開始。

“As the carol says: ‘The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.’

「正如頌歌所說：『萬世希望與驚懼，今宵俱集於你。』

“I wish you all a very happy Christmas.”

「祝大家聖誕快樂。」

O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight