King Charles calls for reconciliation and unity in Christmas message | King Charles III

King Charles called for reconciliation after a year of deepening division and said in his Christmas speech that people must draw strength from the diversity of their communities to ensure right triumphs over wrong.

The monarch touched on the spirit of the second world war generation who came together to overcome the challenges they faced; he exhibits the qualities that he says have shaped both the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

The King said: “The end of the Second World War is now remembered by fewer and fewer of us as the years go by. But the bravery and sacrifice of our soldiers and the way communities came together in the face of such a huge challenge carries a timeless message for us all.”

“These are the values ​​that have shaped our country and the Commonwealth. When we hear of division both at home and abroad, these are the values ​​we should never lose sight of.”

Following the Bondi beach shooting and the Manchester synagogue attack, Charles also praised the “spontaneous courage” of those who “put themselves in danger to defend others”.

The king touched on the impact of new technologies on well-being and community cohesion as the world spins “faster and faster”, suggesting that the festive period could be a moment to recharge and strengthen those communities.

The annual publication is prepared by the king and there are rare occasions when the king does not consult the government.

King Charles is said to see his role as helping to bridge communities, faith groups and others, and trying to portray himself as part of society rather than outside it.

He praised the qualities of “resilience in the face of adversity, peace through forgiveness, building new friendships simply by knowing our neighbors and respecting each other.”

He added: “Indeed, as our world seems to spin faster and faster, our journey may pause to quiet our minds and allow our souls to renew, in TS Eliot’s words, ‘at the still point of the whirling world’.

“In this, with the great diversity of our societies, we can find the strength to ensure that right prevails over wrong,” he said, adding that people “must value the values ​​of compassion and compromise.”

The broadcast showed Charles at Manchester’s Heaton Park synagogue, visiting survivors of the October terror attack and meeting those who were blocking the doors as a knife-wielding attacker tried to gain entry.

Hundreds of flowers were given as gifts after two gunmen targeted a Jewish festival and killed 15 people in Sydney, Australia, showing an arch with the word Bondi Beach on it.

Syrian-born immigrant Ahmed al-Ahmad, the widely acclaimed hero of the massacre, was shot after wrestling with the firearm of one of the gunmen.

An aide to the King said: “I think His Majesty hopes that, if nothing else, Christmas will offer a moment when people can try a digital detox to focus more on our friendships, our families and our faith in those who practice it.

“The King hopes that in this way our minds will find greater peace, our spirits will be renewed, and our communities will be strengthened.”

The speech, recorded in the Lady Chapel at Westminster Abbey on 11 December, made no reference to Charles’s recent “good news” announcement regarding the reduction of cancer treatment; This reflected his desire for his message to reflect the community’s experiences over the past 12 months.

There was a strong religious element in the King’s address to the nation and the Commonwealth; Its main theme emphasized pilgrimage and the Biblical journeys of Mary and Joseph, who arrived “homeless” in Bethlehem, and the three wise men and the shepherds to pay homage to the baby Jesus.

The King said: “Journey is a constant theme of the Christmas story. The holy family made a journey to Bethlehem and arrived homeless, without suitable shelter.

“Wise men made pilgrimages from the east to worship the cradle of Christ; shepherds traveled from field to city in search of Jesus, savior of the world. In each situation, they traveled with others and relied on the friendship and kindness of others. They found inner strength through physical and mental challenges.”