(Since 1952, the Queen’s Christmas message has been televised in some form. The following is the one given by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II on December 25th, 2015. )

At this time of year, few sights arouse more feelings of 【小题1】 and goodwill than the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree.

The popularity of a tree at Christmas is 【小题2】 due to my great-great grandparents, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. After this 【小题3】 picture was published, many families wanted a Christmas tree of their own, and the custom soon spread.

In 1949, I spent Christmas in Malta as a newly-married naval wife. We have returned to that island over the years, including last month for a meeting of Commonwealth leaders; and this year I met another group of leaders: The Queen’s Young Leaders, an inspirational group, each of them a 【小题4】 of hope in their own Commonwealth communities.

Actually, 【小题5】 round the tree gives us a chance to think about the year ahead. It also allows us to 【小题6】 on the year that has passed, as we think of those who are far away or no longer with us. Many people say the first Christmas after losing a(n) 【小题7】 one is particularly hard. But it’s also a time to remember all that we have to be thankful for. We should be thankful for the people who bring love and happiness into our own lives, and look for ways of 【小题8】 that love to others, whenever and wherever we can.

One 【小题9】 for thankfulness this summer was marking seventy years since the end of the Second World War. On VJ Day, we 【小题10】 the remaining veterans (老兵) of that terrible conflict in the Far East, as well as remembered the thousands who never returned. ...

I wish you a very happy Christmas.

I still remember the last Christmas Granny spent with us. I remember it was a cold, windy day because Granny’s grey hair was a 【小题1】 when she arrived. With Christmas on the way, our 【小题2】 grew each day—lights appeared in the streets, Christmas cards arrived, and there was snow everywhere. Granny and I made sugar biscuits, 【小题3】 the turkey and then I sat on my granny’s lap and we sang Christmas songs. Granny had 【小题4】 to sing it over and over again.

On Christmas Eve, Granny took a seat by the fire as we put up the Christmas tree. I 【小题5】 most of the decorations on the branches.Before bed, Granny and I put a stocking at the end of my bed. I was on my best behaviour as we opened the presents the next day. Later, Granny called me over. “I have something special for you,” Granny 【小题6】. “It’s for all your treasures. Merry Christmas.”It was a music box with a ballet dancer inside.

Lunch was a loud and exciting affair. We put on silly paper hats and had a big turkey with potatoes, followed by Christmas pudding. David put so much pudding in his mouth that he couldn’t 【小题7】. Granny laughed so much that her paper hat fell off.

A few weeks after that Christmas, Granny passed away. When I think about what makes Christmas so 【小题8】, it’s not just gifts and Father Christmas that come to mind. It’s also my memory of Granny.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival (樱花节) held in Washington D.C. is creating an online experience for people to enjoy while practicing social distance. People can have 【小题1】 to this experience through the official website. It includes not only online tours of the blossoming trees and videos of the performers who were originally scheduled 【小题2】 at the festival. The website also allows children to enjoy the 【小题3】 by teaching them how to create several festival-related arts and crafts.