我要减肥网英语作文科技与生活

At this time of year, few sights more evoke feelings of cheer and goodwill than the twinkling

lights of a Christmas tree.

The popularity of a tree at Christmas is due in part to my great-great grandparents, Queen

Victoria and Prince Albert. After this touching picture was published, many families wanted a

Christmas tree of their own, and the custom soon spread

In 1949, I spent Christmas in Malta as a newly-married naval wife. We have returned to that

island over the years, including last month for a meeting of Commonwealth leaders; and this

year I met

another

group

of

leaders:

The

Queen's

Young

Leaders,

an

inspirational

group,

each of them a

symbolof hope in their own Commonwealth communities.

Gathering round the tree gives us a chance to think about the year ahead -- I am looking

forward to a busy 2016, though I have been warned I may have Happy Birthday sung to me

more than once or twice.

It also allows us to reflect on the year that has passed, as we think of those who are far away

or

no

longer

with

us.

Many

people

say

the

first

Christmas

after

losing

a

loved

one

is

particularly hard. But it's also a time to remember all that we have to be thankful for.

It is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year, but the Gospel of

John contains a verse of great hope, often read at Christmas carol services ,The light shines

in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

One cause for thankfulness this summer was marking 70 years since the end of the Second

World War. On VJ Day, we honoured the remaining veterans of that terrible conflict in the far

east, as well as remembering the thousands who never returned.

The procession from Horse Guards Parade to Westminster Abbey must have been one of the