Learn from unsung heroes, says Queen

Queen Elizabeth II urged people to learn from unsung heroes when times are tough in
her annual Christmas Day message to Britain and the Commonwealth on Thursday.
In her pre-recorded message, the 82-year-old sovereign said while Christmas was a
time for celebration, this year it was a more sombre occasion for many.
"Some of those things which could once have been taken for granted suddenly seem
less certain and, naturally, give rise to feelings of insecurity," she said.
"People are touched by events which have their roots far across the world. Whether
it is the global economy or violence in a distant land, the effects can be keenly
felt at home."
As she did last year, the queen paid tribute to the armed forces serving in Iraq and
Afghanistan and she acknowledged that the worry for their loved ones would not stop
until they returned home safely.
She also praised those who acted in the service of others in civilian life and
encouraged people to follow their example.
"In times such as these, we can all learn some lessons from the past. We might begin
to see things in a new perspective. And certainly, we begin to ask ourselves where
it is that we can find lasting happiness," she said.
"Over the years, those who seemed to me to be the most happy, contented and
fulfilled have always been the people who have lived the most outgoing and unselfish
lives; the kind of people who are generous with their talents or time.
"There are those who use their prosperity or good fortune for the benefit of others
whether they number among the great philanthropists or are people who, with whatever
they have, simply have a desire to help those less fortunate than themselves.
"What they offer comes in the form of what can easily be recognised as service to
the nation or service to the wider community. As often as not however, their
unselfishness is a simply-taken-for-granted part of the life of their family or
neighbourhood.
"They tend to have some sense that life itself is full of blessings, and is a
precious gift for which we should be thankful. When life seems hard, the courageous
do not lie down and accept defeat; instead they are all the more determined to
struggle for a better future."
The monarch spoke of her pride in watching eldest son Charles, Prince of Wales, who
turned 60 last month, support causes for young people and others through his
charities and in seeing his sons, William and Harry, follow in his footsteps.
The broadcast Christmas speech is a tradition started by Queen Elizabeth II's
grandfather, King George V, in 1932.
It is a personal message to the Commonwealth and a rare occasion where she does not
need to seek the advice of ministers.
Queen Elizabeth II gave her first televised Christmas message in 1957.
Closing her latest offering, she turned to a Biblical theme.
"We can surely be grateful that, two thousand years after the birth of Jesus, so
many of us are able to draw inspiration from his life and message, and to find in
him a source of strength and courage," she said.
"I hope that the Christmas message will encourage and sustain you too, now and in
the coming year.
"I wish you all a very happy Christmas."
The queen's broadcast is aired at 3.00pm (1500 GMT) in Britain, after many families
have enjoyed their traditional roast turkey feast.
It is also shown at convenient local times across the Commonwealth.