 MUSIC: God Save The Queen 
 As a child, I never imagined that 
 one day a man would walk on the moon.
 Yet this year, 
 we marked the 50th anniversary 
 of the famous Apollo 11 mission. 
 It's still looking very good. 
 Your go. 
 The Eagle has landed. 
 As those historic pictures 
 were beamed back to Earth, 
 millions of us sat transfixed 
 to our television screens 
 as we watched Neil Armstrong 
 taking a small step for man 
 and a giant leap for mankind, 
 and indeed for womankind. 
 It's a reminder for us all 
 that giant leaps often start 
 with small steps. 
 This year, we marked another 
 important anniversary, D-Day. 
 On 6th June 1944, 
 some 156,000 British, Canadian 
 and American forces 
 landed in northern France. 
 It was the largest ever 
 seaborne invasion 
 and was delayed due to bad weather. 
 I well remember the look of concern 
 on my father's face. 
 He knew the secret D-Day plans, 
 but could of course share 
 that burden with no one. 
 For the 75th anniversary 
 of that decisive battle, 
 in a true spirit of reconciliation, 
 those who had formerly 
 been sworn enemies 
 came together 
 in friendly commemorations 
 either side of the Channel, 
 putting past differences behind them.
 Such reconciliation 
 seldom happens overnight. 
 It takes patience 
 and time to rebuild trust, 
 and progress often comes 
 through small steps. 
 Since the end of the 
 Second World War, many charities, 
 groups and organisations have worked 
 to promote peace and unity 
 around the world, 
 bringing together those 
 who have been on opposing sides. 
 By being willing to put 
 past differences behind us 
 and move forward together, 
 we honour the freedom and democracy 
 once won for us at so great a cost. 
 The challenges many people face today
 may be different to those 
 once faced by my generation, 
 but I have been struck 
 by how new generations 
 have brought a similar sense 
 of purpose to issues 
 such as protecting our environment 
 and our climate. 
 My family and I are also inspired 
 by the men and women of our 
 emergency services and armed forces, 
 and at Christmas we remember all 
 those on duty at home and abroad 
 who are helping those in need 
 and keeping us and our families 
 safe and secure. 
 200 years on from the birth 
 of my great-great-grandmother 
 Queen Victoria, 
 Prince Philip and I 
 have been delighted 
 to welcome our eighth 
 great-grandchild into our family. 
 Of course, at the heart 
 of the Christmas story 
 lies the birth of a child, 
 a seemingly small 
 and insignificant step 
 overlooked by many in Bethlehem. 
 But in time, through his teaching 
 and by his example, 
 Jesus Christ would show the world 
 how small steps, 
 taken in faith and in hope, 
 can overcome long-held differences 
 and deep-seated divisions 
 to bring harmony and understanding. 
 Many of us already try 
 to follow in his footsteps. 
 The path, of course, 
 is not always smooth, 
 and may at times this year 
 have felt quite bumpy. 
 But small steps can make 
 a world of difference. 
 As Christmas dawned, church 
 congregations around the world 
 joined in singing 
 It Came Upon The Midnight Clear. 
 Like many timeless carols, 
 it speaks not just 
 of the coming of Jesus Christ 
 into a divided world many years ago, 
 but also of the relevance even today 
 of the angels' message 
 of peace and goodwill. 
 It's a timely reminder of 
 what positive things can be achieved 
 when people set aside 
 past differences 
 and come together in the spirit 
 of friendship and reconciliation. 
 And as we all look forward 
 to the start of a new decade, 
 it's worth remembering 
 that it is often the small steps, 
 not the giant leaps, 
 that bring about 
 the most lasting change. 
 And so I wish you all 
 a very happy Christmas. 
 # It came upon the midnight clear 
 # That glorious song of old 
 # From angels bending near the earth 
 # To touch their harps of gold 
 # Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
 # From heaven's all-gracious King 
 # The world in solemn stillness lay 
 # To hear the angels sing 
 # For lo the days are hastening on 
 # By prophet bards foretold 
 # When with the ever-circling years 
 # Shall come the age of gold 
 # When peace shall over all the earth
 # Its ancient splendours fling 
 # And the whole world give back 
 the song 
 # Which now the angels sing. # 
