|PIC1|The Queen has made her annual Christmas Speech to Britain and the Commonwealth nations yesterday, and in it she urged Christians to remember the true meaning of Christmas – a traditional Christian celebration to mark the birth of Jesus Christ.

Queen Elizabeth II expressed grief for the many thousands of lives lost in the past year to terrorist attacks and natural disasters in a sombre Christmas Day message.

The speech focused on global events rather than the high profile incidents over the past year of her own family, such as her eldest son Prince Charles’s second marriage in April.

The Queen, 79, referred to the Boxing Day tsunami that occurred one year ago today, saying “The day after my last Christmas message was broadcast, the world experienced one of the worst natural disasters ever recorded.”

Also highlighted were the string of disasters that have hit the planet over the past twelve months, including the hurricanes in the Caribbean and New Orleans as well as the massive earthquake that brought destruction to parts of Pakistan and India.

In particular, the Queen pointed to the atrocities of the London bombings that took place in July. Her majesty said, “As if these disasters were not bad enough, I have sometimes thought that humanity seemed to have turned on itself – with wars, civil disturbances and acts of brutal terrorism.

|TOP|“This Christmas my thoughts are especially with those everywhere who are grieving the loss of loved ones during what for so many has been such a terrible year.”

However, Queen Elizabeth II praised the efforts of all the humanitarian and aid workers around the world that had eased the distress and comforted so many. She said, “There may be an instinct in all of us to help those in distress, but in many cases I believe this has been inspired by religious faith.”

Concluding her message, the monarch said the events of 2005 demonstrated how faith helped people to work together for the sake of future generations.

“I hope you will all have a very happy Christmas this year and that you go into the New Year with renewed hope and confidence.”