25-12-14 13:39 pm – Source: Reuters / BuzzR
King Willem-Alexander during his Christmas speech on Christmas Day on television. © anp
Below is the full text of the Christmas speech of King Willem-Alexander, broadcast on Christmas Day from Eikenhorst Wassenaar
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“We celebrate Christmas in a turbulent time. In the past year is a large demand for the resilience of many Dutch. Which is our most precious, is often the most vulnerable. At Christmas, we look at the value of life itself and the fragility of it.
The grief for relatives and friends who died in the plane crash on July 17, overshadows this Christmas for thousands of people in our country and beyond. For them and all those affected by grief, this is not a day of light, but of emptiness. No day of warmth and good living, but still lack.
Where sadness, doubt and uncertainty prevail, search people hold and shelter together. At Home. When friends or family. In a religious community. Or in any other environment that feels safe and familiar
. Larger links
How independent we stand in life We are also dependent on others. Everyone wants to feel they are included in larger contexts. Be heard, your home and feel safe in a place where you are accepted as you are, have perspective; they are real needs that we all share.
It is therefore understandable that the events of the past year many people occupy strong. Developments elsewhere have an impact on our lives here. At the borders of Europe are fierce showdowns place. The causes are an impenetrable tangle that is hard to disentangle. Because of the violence millions of people a safe haven. As a refugee, they must leave their homes in search of a temporary home.
The world affects us. Conversely, our actions affect the lives of people far away. Our country is not an isolated port. We are part of a complex world, whether we like it or not. Tensions also put pressure on our society, rural, but also close to home, in neighborhoods, in schools, at work,
No license
However understandable feelings of anxiety can be intense and how beliefs can be polite, they are not a license for any behavior. Whoever threatens another person, that person deprives his sense of security, his feeling of being “home”
The question is. How do we remain true to our ideal of a free and open society in which every man must himself and on an equal footing may help build? How do we serve together peace? How do we keep the tyranny – big and small – outside
The value of freedom and democracy is particularly evident for those who do not have one. Seventy years ago, we welcomed jubilantly our liberators. It was only five years ago that millions of people celebrated the emotional transition to a Europe without Wall and without barbed wire. A Europe linked by freedom and democratic principles.
Can we wear today the luxury of freedom? My answer is ‘yes’. If we continue to realize that our freedom is our common responsibility. And that people can only be truly free if they are allowed to be themselves in a society that accepts that people differ from each other.
Unity without diversity is suffocating. Diversity without unity is loose sand. Netherlands has more than seventeen million selfies. We need each other, stronger than we often realize itself. Everyone’s abilities and skills are valuable and important.
Not everyone can be a Epke Zonderland or Gijs Gardener. Not everyone can excel as a teacher, doctor, scientist or social worker. But the power of the Netherlands much more than individual talents. The power lies in what we make of it together. And we have so much to be proud of and trust hereunder. Netherlands is among the countries in which children can grow happiest. That does not mean that every child is happy. It does require that we as a society succeed – at all concerned about the future that there are also – to create an environment where children can make a good and loving start. That thought can give courage and hope, even in this time of uncertainty
. Silent Night, Holy Night
People give their lives and their place in the world meaning using stories that portray a different reality. One such story, which gives a lot of people in the Netherlands and in the world support and connects, the Christmas story. “Fear not, for I bring you good news, that all the people with great joy,” said the angel on Christmas night against the shepherds in the field. Tidings of hope that can overcome fear, is still an inspiration to hundreds of millions of people.
“Silent Night, Holy Night” was sung in the British and German trenches in Belgium and northern France, in 1914 . And a moment when the guns fell silent. It was sung behind the darkened windows of Dutch houses in the dark December days during World War II. It was sung in Prague, Berlin, Warsaw, during the long years of lack of freedom and confinement.
And now, this Christmas is “Silent Night, Holy Night” sung again, at home, in churches and in other venues. A song of hope and light that can give people courage, even in times of worry or sadness
I wish all of you -. Wherever you are and whatever your personal circumstances – a blessed Christmas.
(Edited by: Editorial)
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