Queen Elizabeth II spoke of the the importance of embracing “the light” in her Christmas message.
The 89-year-old monarch said she is looking forward to a busy 2016, including her 90th birthday in April, but also took a moment to reflect on the year coming to a close where large-scale terrorist attacks rocked Paris and San Bernardino, Calif., and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, including a civil war in Syria, created a worldwide refugee crisis.
“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,” she said.
“It is true that the world has 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.”
The queen noted that her family’s customary dressing of the Christmas tree has changed little over the course of her lifetime, but that electric lights have replaced the candles.
“There’s an old saying that it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness,” the queen said, adding, “There are millions of people lighting candles of hope in our world today. Christmas is a good time to be thankful for them and for all that brings light to our lives.”
