t their parents and friends. Separation at this time is especially hard to bear.is not just a matter of separation. The men and women of the Services continue to face serious risks and dangers as they carry out their duties. They have done this brilliantly.think we all have very good reasons for feeling proud of their achievements - both in war, and as they help to build a lasting peace in troublespots across the globe.of this can be achieved without paying a price. I know that all our thoughts at this time are with the families who are suffering the pain of bereavement. All those who have recently lost a close relative or friend will know how difficult Christmas can be.individual Servicemen and women are our neighbours and come from our own towns and villages; from every part of the country and from every background.process of training within the Navy, the Army and the Air Force has moulded them together into disciplined teams.have learnt to take responsibility and to exercise judgement and restraint in situations of acute stress and danger. They have brought great credit to themselves and to our country as a whole.had an opportunity recently at the Barracks to meet some of those who played their part with such distinction in the Iraq operations. I was left with a deep sense of respect and admiration for their steadfast loyalty to each other and to our nation.believe there is a lesson for us all here. It is that each of us can achieve much more if we work together as members of a team. The Founder of the Christian Faith himself chose twelve disciples to help him in his ministry.was reminded of the importance of teamwork as I presented, for the first time last summer, The Queen s Awards for Voluntary Service by groups within the community.have been struck by how often people say to me that they are receiving their award on behalf of a team and that they do not deserve to be singled out. This annual award recognises the team rather than the individual.this country and throughout the Commonwealth there are groups of people who are giving their time generously to make a difference to the lives of others.we think of them, and of our Servicemen and women far from home at this Christmas time, I hope we all, whatever our faith, can draw inspiration from the words of the familiar prayer:
Teach us good Lordserve thee as thou deservest; give, and not to count the cost; fight, and not to heed the wounds; toil, and not to seek for rest; labour, and not to ask for any reward; that of knowing that we do thy will. is this knowledge which will help us all to enjoy the Festival of Christmas.happy Christmas to you all.Broadcast 2004her Christmas Broadcast of 2004 The Queen addressed the theme of religious tolerance.is for most of us a time for a break from work, for family and friends, for presents, turkey and crackers. But we should not lose sight of the fact that these are traditional celebrations around a great religious festival, one of the most important in the Christian year.and culture are much in the news these days, usually as sources of difference and conflict, rather than for bringing people together. But the irony is that every religion has something to say about tolerance and respecting others.me as a Christian one of the most important of these teachings is contained in the parable of the Good Samaritan, when Jesus answers the question who is my neighbour raquo ; .is a timeless story of a victim of a mugging who was ignored by his own countrymen but helped by a foreigner - and a despised foreigner at that.implication drawn by Jesus is clear. Everyone is our neighbour, no matter what race, creed or colour. The need to look after a fellow human being is far more important than any cultural or religious differences.of us have learned to acknowledge and respect the ways of other cultures and religions, but what matters even more is the way in which those from different backgrounds behave towards each other in everyday life.is vitally important that we all should participate and cooperate for the sake of the wellbeing of the whole community. We have only to look around to recognise the benefits of this positive approach in business or local government, in sport, music and the arts.is certainly much more to be done and many challenges to be overcome. Discrimination still exists. Some people feel that their own beliefs are being threatened. Some are unhappy about unfamiliar cultures.all need to be reassured that there is so much to be gained by reaching out to others; that diversity is indeed a strength and not a threat.need also to realise that peaceful and steady progress in our society of differing cultures and heritage can be threatened at any moment by the actions of extremists at home or by events abroad. We can certainly never be complacent.there is every reason to be hopeful about the future. I certainly recognise that much has been achieved in my lif...
