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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 Queen39。s Young Leaders, an inspirational group, each of them a symbolof hope in their own Commonwealth round the tree gives us a chance to think about the year aheadI am looking forward to a busy 2016, though I have been warned I may have Happy Birthday sung to me more than once or also allows us to reflect on the year that has passed, as we think of those who are far away or no longer with people say the first Christmas after losing a loved one is particularly it39。s also a time to remember all that we have to be thankful is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year, but the Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope, often read at Christmas carol services ,The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overe cause for thankfulness this summer was marking 70 years since the end of the Second World VJ Day, we honoured the remaining veterans of that terrible conflict in the far east, as well as remembering the thousands who never procession from Horse Guards Parade to Westminster Abbey must have been one of the slowest ever, because so many people wanted to say thank you to the end of that war, the people of Oslo began sending an annual gift of a Christmas tree for Trafalgar has 500 light bulbs and is enjoyed not just by Christians but by people of all faiths, and of the very top sits a bright star, to represent the star of custom of topping a tree also goes back to Prince Albert39。s his family39。s tree, he chose an angel, helping to remind us that the focus of the Christmas story is on one particular Joseph and Mary, the circumstances of Jesus39。s birthwere far from ideal, but worse was to e as the family was forced to flee the 39。s no surprise that such a human story still captures our imagination and continues to inspire all of us who are Christians, the world being displaced and persecuted throughout his short life, Christ39。s unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence but simply that we should love one it is not an easy message to follow, we shouldn39。t be discouraged。rather, it inspires us to try harder: to be thankful for the people who bring love and happiness into our own lives, and to look for ways of spreading that love to others, whenever and wherever we of the joys of living a long life is watching one39。s children, then grandchildren, then greatgrandchildren, help decorate the Christmas this y