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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 I'm still
looking very good go 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 the giant
leaps often start with small steps this
year we marked another important
anniversary d-day on the 6th of June
1944 some 156 thousand British Canadian
and American forces landed in northern
France it was the largest ever seaborne
invasion and was delayed due to bad
weather I will 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 formally 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 organizations 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
and move forward together we honor 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
investor him 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 tried
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 to 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
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
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