HM King George VI - The Royal Christmas Message of 1939

King George VI broadcasts his 1939 Royal Christmas Message.
Transcript:
The festival which we know as Christmas is above all the festival of peace and of the home. Among all free peoples the love of peace is profound, for this alone gives security to the home.
But true peace is in the hearts of men, and it is the tragedy of this time that there are powerful countries whose whole direction and policy are based on aggression and the suppression of all that we hold dear for mankind.
It is this that has stirred our peoples and given them a unity unknown in any previous war. We feel in our hearts that we are fighting against wickedness, and this conviction will give us strength from day to day to persevere until victory is assured.
At home we are, as it were, taking the strain for what may lie ahead of us, resolved and confident. We look with pride and thankfulness on the neverfailing courage and devotion of the Royal Navy, upon which, throughout the last four months, has burst the storm of ruthless and unceasing war.
And when I speak of our Navy today, I mean all the men of our Empire who go down to the sea in ships, the Mercantile Marine, the mine-sweepers, the trawlers and drifters, from the senior officers to the last boy who has joined up.
To every one in this great Fleet I send a message of gratitude and greeting, from myself as from all my peoples. The same message I send to the gallant Air Force which, in co-operation with the Navy, is our sure shield of defence.
They are daily adding laurels to those that their fathers won.
I would send a special word of greeting to the Armies of the Empire, to those who have come from afar, and in particular to the British Expeditionary Force.
Their task is hard. They are waiting, and waiting is a trial of nerve and discipline. But I know that when the moment comes for action they will prove themselves worthy of the highest traditions of their great Service.
And to all who are preparing themselves to serve their country, on sea or land or in the air, I send my greeting at this time. The men and women of our farflung Empire working in their several vocations, with the one same purpose, all are members of the great Family of Nations which is prepared to sacrifice everything that freedom of spirit may be saved to the world.
Such is the spirit of the Empire; of the great Dominions, of India, of every Colony, large or small. From all alike have come offers of help, for which the Mother Country can never be sufficiently grateful. Such unity in aim and in effort has never been seen in the world before.
I believe from my heart that the cause which binds together my peoples and our gallant and faithful Allies is the cause of Christian civilisation. On no other basis can a true civilisation be built.
Let us remember this through the dark times ahead of us and when we are making the peace for which all men pray.
A new year is at hand. We cannot tell what it will bring. If it brings peace, how thankful we shall all be. If it brings us continued struggle we shall remain undaunted.
In the meantime I feel that we may all find a message of encouragement in the lines which, in my closing words, I would like to say to you: 'I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year, "Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown." And he replied, "Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way."'
May that Almighty Hand guide and uphold us all.
More recordings of HM George VI - • King George VI - Speec...

[@zimnaya]

What a courageous, honest and deeply good man. I have always thought he should have been known as "George the Good" though the English do not give epithets to their kings, at least not those in modern times

[@stevewallschlaeger1379]

Zimnaya I don't think honourable accolades need have a boundary and I think if you want to say that of HRM Albert Frederick Arthur George VI, that is quite a beautiful thing to be said. Personally I like their names and to honour them by remembering their titles and things which make them who they were as people. They really were loved people. I miss my foreparents gone before. Truly

[@stanleygoering4856]

King George the great!

[@sandywinfield9406]

From a time when leaders were more honourable and courageous.

[@feralbluee]

there's a special place in me for George VI. he had to overcome his bad stutter to make his first speech and here he is speaking and controlling that stutter - a brave man. he was a very lovely, good man and king. he has such kind and modest eyes. . . thank you for this. (from across the pond :)

[@treasuretrails]

Remembering this on Christmas 2022, sucks that once again war has broken out in the world.....

[@richardc8795]

What a wonderful man. I’ve always admired George VI Sadly, he was not around for very long.

[@tylerhynes0]

I feel so bad that he stuttered too much

[@tylerhynes0]

But he was a very good king and father to 👑 Elizabeth and her sister Margaret.

[@Anonymous-qw]

You can tell he is having difficulty with his stuttering and stammering. But a very good speech in very difficult circumstances.

[@roberttreborable]

One of the most inspiring speeches, made when the country needed leadership....

[@StephenRBeet]

Wonderful courage

[@stevenschoenfeld5751]

I now declare this speech, good utterly good, well sad your Majesty; Merry Christmas to you 👍♥️😷

[@anakindidnothingwrong]

The stammer is there still... A very good speech.

[@hepzebahsu]

I recognized the final quote from the end of the movie "The Mortal Storm" (1940) - also made at the beginning of WWII.

[@Noutchka]

00:19 1:20 2:04 2:08 2:17 4:48 7:28

[@dominicalati4946]

There is no doubt that George VI should be on the pantheon of the Greatest monarchs in the United Kingdom and the world. He may not have been the ideal king, nor did he want TO be King..but he was the RIGHT King. His ability to discuss military matters with Churchill during the war and to lead the modernization and the Commonwealth created the most perfect foundation for his daughter and served as the cornerstone for her 70 year reign. Thank you, Your Majesty, for you were truly majestic.

[@lenwilkinson672]

mummummummumI was 9 years old when I heard The King make this speech.having dinner with uncles and aunts my mum and aunts had tears running down their faces we all stopped eating while he spoke.😊

[@TheAnn2shoes]

Listening to this during the pandemic of 2020. So encouraging.

[@ahiebert6]

I love how the speech closes, from 8:30 min onward! Profound!

[@heartofoak45]

Never forget, put your hand into the hand of God, for it is better than any known way.

[@arananation]

This guy had nerves of steal!

[@WeFade2Grey]

Still sounds wonderful Christmas 2020.

[@taralh1986]

It's a truly beautiful speech and hearing this in 2020 after such a difficult year it's all the more meaningful.

[@pedropotter1999]

Was Lionel Logue with him?

[@Noutchka]

Yes, but not in the same room.

[@tardistime6857]

Yes

[@theheartyalbum4253]

This video has been noted with glee! I wish to create a wonderful network for people to come together and contribute a collection of videos, videos that have led them to love the good there is to be witnessed all around. Come and contribute to my album!

[@chessmoon]

god save the king

[@stevewallschlaeger1379]

This is A King who conquered his impediment of speech with courage and such a beautiful voice indeed did HRM George VI Duke of York, blessed father of HRM Elizabeth II have. Surely missed.

[@dufus7396]

National Socalists

[@dufus7396]

LOVE

[@XenaAmazon]

Good job and well said Bertie.

[@tylerhynes0]

XenaAmazon are you related to king Bertie?