Christmas Broadcast 1979
Published
Today we celebrate the birth of the child who transformed history and gave us a great faith.
1979 was the Year of the Child, and The Queen's Christmas Broadcast that year addressed the theme of children and young people. It was a year that saw hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing Cambodia following the disastrous rule of the Khmer Rouge.
Every two years the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth countries meet together to discuss matters of mutual interest.
This year they met in Africa and once again the meeting demonstrated the great value of personal contact and the desire of all the leaders to settle their differences in the friendly spirit of a family gathering.
All 39 full members of the Commonwealth were represented there and, as always on these occasions, I greatly valued the opportunity of talks with them.
One of the main objectives of Heads of Government is to make the world a better place for the next generation. 1979 has been the International Year of the Child and the Commonwealth has always stressed the importance of our young people: but this year people all over the world have been asked to give particular thought to the special needs of sick and handicapped children, to the hungry and homeless and to those in trouble or distress wherever they may be found.
It is an unhappy coincidence that political and economic forces have made this an exceptionally difficult and tragic year for many families and children in several parts of the world - but particularly in South East Asia.
The situation has created a desperately serious challenge and I am glad to know that so many people of the Commonwealth have responded with wonderful generosity and kindness. It seems that the greater the needs of children, the more people everywhere rise to the occasion.
My daughter, as President of the Save the Children Fund, saw some of these volunteers looking after refugee children in the Far East. Nowhere is the voluntary effort more active than in charities and organisations devoted to helping children to survive the hazards to which they have been subjected.
The Year of the Child has emphasised the value of this work, but we must not forget that every generation has to face the problems of childhood and the stresses of growing up, and, in due course, the responsibilities of parents and adults. If they are handicapped in themselves, or by their family or community, their problems are all the more difficult.
Children are born with a mixed package of emotions, talents and handicaps, but without knowledge or experience. As they grow up they have to learn to live with their parents and families; and they have to adjust to school, including the discovery of leisure activities and learning to handle their relationships with their contemporaries and with strangers.
Schools, charities and voluntary organisations and institutions can do a great deal to help, and I have admired their work in many parts of the world; but in the end each one of us has a primary and personal responsibility for our own children, for children entrusted to our care and for all the children in our own communities.
At Christmas we give presents to each other. Let us also stop to think whether we are making enough effort to pass on our experience of life to our children. Today we celebrate the birth of the child who transformed history and gave us a great faith. Jesus said:
"Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God".
I wish you all a very happy Christmas.
Related content
A speech by The Queen at the Indian State Banquet, 2009
Relations between our two countries are built on strong and deep foundations, and are set fair for the 21st century.
Visit by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh to Bermuda, and Trinidad and Tobago
The Queen's Commonwealth Day message, 2009
We can rightly celebrate the fact that the founding members’ vision of the future has become a reality.
A speech by The Queen at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting dinner, 2009
I am delighted to welcome you all here this evening.
Christmas Broadcast 2008
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.
A speech by The Queen at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth
My grandfather, father, husband and two sons have all undergone training here, and I have had many visits over the years.
Christmas Broadcast 2007
The Christmas story also draws attention to all those people who are on the edge of society
A speech by The Queen at CHOGM, Uganda, 2007
Recognising that each one of us is made up of layer upon layer of identity and that each of our unique personalities has ties to culture, religion, community, country and...
A speech by The Queen at the CHOGM Dinner, Kampala, 2007
I am so very pleased to be with you again and wish you every success in your deliberations.
A speech by The Queen at the Parliament Building in Kampala
It gives me great pleasure to address this House today in recognition of the importance of parliamentary democracy to the Commonwealth as a whole.
A speech by The Queen at the Ugandan State Banquet,2007
We are so pleased to be back in Uganda.
The Queen's message to the President of the Republic of India
The Queen's message to the people of The Islamic Republic of Pakistan
A speech by The Queen at the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge
The Canadian Corps transformed Vimy Ridge from a symbol of despair into a source of inspiration.
A speech by The Queen at the Ghana State Banquet, 2007
Ghana today is a progressive, open society. The economy is buoyant, and growth and prosperity are being fostered by a pluralistic and lively political debate and by your...
Christmas Broadcast 2006
The birth of a baby brings great happiness - but then the business of growing up begins.
A speech by The Queen at Mansion House for Her Majesty's 80th Birthday
As Groucho Marx once said "Anyone can get old - all you have to do is to live long enough". And there are in my view many other anniversaries this year which are more...
State Banquet in Singapore, 17 March 2006
The links between Britain and Singapore are as strong as ever, and our future relationship is bright indeed.
Australian Prime Minister's Commonwealth Games luncheon, 15 March 2006
Australia has an enviable record at the Commonwealth Games.
A speech by The Queen at the XVIII Commonwealth Games, Australia, 2006
Tonight we celebrate the value of sport as a means of bringing together people from seventy-one nations and territories.
Christmas Broadcast 2005
These natural and human tragedies provided the headline news; they also provoked a quite remarkable humanitarian response.
The Queen's speech at the opening of the 2005 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
We in the Commonwealth are our own 'world wide web'.
State banquet in Malta, 23 November 2005
We both retain a deep affection for your country and the outgoing, generous Maltese people who have always offered us the hand of friendship.
Opening ceremony, eighth General Synod of the Church of England, 15 Nov 2005
When limitless amounts of information, much of it ephemeral, are instantly accessible on demand, there is a renewed hunger for that which endures and gives meaning.
Norway State Banquet, 25 October 2005
I remember the bonfires along the coastline as we arrived and the enthusiastic welcome we received as guests of your grandfather, King Haakon.
World War II commemorative event, Horse Guards Parade, 10 July 2005
An act of remembrance is an act of honour.
Centenary of Alberta joining Confederation, Alberta Legislature, Canada, 24 May 2005
While all Albertans — and all Canadians — value this history as a colourful account of the past, we also view it as a foundation for our present and future.
Farewell dinner in Alberta, Canada, 24 May 2005
I have so many vivid memories and a tremendous sense of pride in being part of the Canadian family.
Federal lunch in Regina, Saskatchewan, 20 May 2005
I retain a deep affection for this great country and for the people who take such pride in saying "I am Canadian".
Saskatchewan Legislature, Canada, 18 May 2005
My mother once said that this country felt like a "home away from home" for the Queen of Canada. Ladies and gentlemen, six decades later it still does...
Christmas Broadcast 2004
Everyone is our neighbour, no matter what race, creed or colour.
Statement by The Queen following death of HRH Princess Alice
Arrangements for The Queen's Christmas Broadcast to the Commonwealth
Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting reception, Nigeria, 3 December 2003
Nigeria has much to be proud of.
Opening of the new Australian War Memorial, London, 11 November 2003
Twice within the span of a single generation, Australia and Britain stood side by side in two of the bloodiest wars in human history.
Opening of the exhibition 'Women and War', Imperial War Museum, 14 October 2003
Over the two World Wars and in the many conflicts since then, women in Britain and throughout the Commonwealth have faced and overcome all manner of challenges.
Ottawa, Canada, 13 October 2002
Wherever the future may take us, my admiration and affection for Canada and Canadians everywhere is - and will always remain - clear, strong and sure.