Macisikan
23-12-2004, 04:45
You are watching MNB; the Voice of Macisikan
[His Imperial Majesty, the King-Emperor Constantinus deMakra's Christmas message, simultaneous broadcast live from the Imperial Palace, Arn-Maciska to domestic and foreign audiences. Rendered as accurately as possible into English.]
A young caucasian man in a black military uniform with red piping sits behind a desk. On his head he wears a laurel wreath made of gold. Behind him is a mahogany bookshelf with many tomes on it, and he is flanked by two flagstaffs.
"Good Afternoon.
"For many people all over the world, this past year seems to have brought them more than their fair share of trials and disasters. There have been storms and droughts as well as epidemics and famine. And our nation has not been spared, with the hardest winter on record gripping the south of the country for six long months. The people of our southern cities spent four of these months living inside, unable to leave their homes due to the cold. They and others whose livelihoods have been affected continue to suffer hardship and anxiety long after the newspaper headlines have moved on.
"But whilst many of these events were of natural origin, it was the human conflicts and the wanton acts of crime and terror against fellow human beings which have so appalled us all. The terrorist outrages in the ViZion, Jarrida, Euroslavia, and other nations brought home to us the pain and grief of ordinary people the world over who find themselves innocently caught up in such evil.
"During the time that followed these attacks we have often struggled to find ways of expressing our horror at what had happened. But, as is so often in our lives at times of tragedy - just as on occasions of celebration and thanksgiving - we look to our Church to bring us together as a nation or as a community in commemoration and tribute. It is to our Church that we turn to give meaning to these moments of intense human experience through prayer, symbol and ceremony.
"In these circumstances so many of us, whatever our religion, need our faith more than ever to sustain and guide us. Every one of us needs to believe in the value of all that is good and honest; we need to let this belief drive and influence our actions.
"And we strove to show that these sentiments are not mere words and prayers; our Red Cross organisation is now active in Neo-Tyr, helping the people of that nation deal with the Klatchian occupation. The MCR has also been active in ViZion, Dyelli Beybi, and numerous others. We go to these nations to help their people not because of shallow reasons of politics, but because it is right and good to help those in need.
"From the bottom of our hearts, in our prayers and in our thoughts, we thank those good men and women who took their lives into their hands so that others could breath easier.
"And we not only thank those on the front line; the doctors in Dyelli Beybi, the shippers in Dra-pol, but the millions who provide their support. The families and friends, the hundreds of volunteers, and the numerous support staff who man the factories, send the goods where they are needed, and provide a base for those who are out there helping.
"All the major faiths tell us to give support and hope to others in distress. We in this country have tried to bring comfort to all those who were bereaved, or who suffered loss or injury in this years tragic events, not only through material aid, but through a series of moving services at Our Lady of the Nation's and more recently at Kingsminster, and at numerous smaller services at churches, abbeys, and temples across the land.
"In these services, and in our actions, we have done our utmost to heed a lesson that our God did impart a message to us, and I feel that it is right to repeat it now;
"Go forth into the world in peace,
be of good courage,
hold fast that which is good,
render to no man evil for evil,
strengthen the faint-hearted,
support the weak,
help the afflicted,
honour all men.
And remember always this;
it does not rain every day"
"This is an important lesson for us all during this festive season. For Christmas marks a moment to pause, to reflect and believe in the possibilities of rebirth and renewal. Christ’s birth in Bethlehem so long ago remains a powerful symbol of hope for a better future. After all the tribulations of this year, this is surely more relevant than ever.
"As we come together amongst family and friends and look forward to the coming year, I hope that in the months to come we shall be able to find ways of strengthening our own communities as a sure support and comfort to us all - whatever may lie ahead. And always remembering that no matter how bad things seem, they will improve, for our Heavenly Father is merciful and loving of all his children.
"My family joins me in wishing you all a very merry Christmas, and a happy and safe New Year.
"Deus Vobiscum."
[END BROADCAST]
OOC: Seriously; merry christmas everyone, and a happy new year (no matter who you are).
[His Imperial Majesty, the King-Emperor Constantinus deMakra's Christmas message, simultaneous broadcast live from the Imperial Palace, Arn-Maciska to domestic and foreign audiences. Rendered as accurately as possible into English.]
A young caucasian man in a black military uniform with red piping sits behind a desk. On his head he wears a laurel wreath made of gold. Behind him is a mahogany bookshelf with many tomes on it, and he is flanked by two flagstaffs.
"Good Afternoon.
"For many people all over the world, this past year seems to have brought them more than their fair share of trials and disasters. There have been storms and droughts as well as epidemics and famine. And our nation has not been spared, with the hardest winter on record gripping the south of the country for six long months. The people of our southern cities spent four of these months living inside, unable to leave their homes due to the cold. They and others whose livelihoods have been affected continue to suffer hardship and anxiety long after the newspaper headlines have moved on.
"But whilst many of these events were of natural origin, it was the human conflicts and the wanton acts of crime and terror against fellow human beings which have so appalled us all. The terrorist outrages in the ViZion, Jarrida, Euroslavia, and other nations brought home to us the pain and grief of ordinary people the world over who find themselves innocently caught up in such evil.
"During the time that followed these attacks we have often struggled to find ways of expressing our horror at what had happened. But, as is so often in our lives at times of tragedy - just as on occasions of celebration and thanksgiving - we look to our Church to bring us together as a nation or as a community in commemoration and tribute. It is to our Church that we turn to give meaning to these moments of intense human experience through prayer, symbol and ceremony.
"In these circumstances so many of us, whatever our religion, need our faith more than ever to sustain and guide us. Every one of us needs to believe in the value of all that is good and honest; we need to let this belief drive and influence our actions.
"And we strove to show that these sentiments are not mere words and prayers; our Red Cross organisation is now active in Neo-Tyr, helping the people of that nation deal with the Klatchian occupation. The MCR has also been active in ViZion, Dyelli Beybi, and numerous others. We go to these nations to help their people not because of shallow reasons of politics, but because it is right and good to help those in need.
"From the bottom of our hearts, in our prayers and in our thoughts, we thank those good men and women who took their lives into their hands so that others could breath easier.
"And we not only thank those on the front line; the doctors in Dyelli Beybi, the shippers in Dra-pol, but the millions who provide their support. The families and friends, the hundreds of volunteers, and the numerous support staff who man the factories, send the goods where they are needed, and provide a base for those who are out there helping.
"All the major faiths tell us to give support and hope to others in distress. We in this country have tried to bring comfort to all those who were bereaved, or who suffered loss or injury in this years tragic events, not only through material aid, but through a series of moving services at Our Lady of the Nation's and more recently at Kingsminster, and at numerous smaller services at churches, abbeys, and temples across the land.
"In these services, and in our actions, we have done our utmost to heed a lesson that our God did impart a message to us, and I feel that it is right to repeat it now;
"Go forth into the world in peace,
be of good courage,
hold fast that which is good,
render to no man evil for evil,
strengthen the faint-hearted,
support the weak,
help the afflicted,
honour all men.
And remember always this;
it does not rain every day"
"This is an important lesson for us all during this festive season. For Christmas marks a moment to pause, to reflect and believe in the possibilities of rebirth and renewal. Christ’s birth in Bethlehem so long ago remains a powerful symbol of hope for a better future. After all the tribulations of this year, this is surely more relevant than ever.
"As we come together amongst family and friends and look forward to the coming year, I hope that in the months to come we shall be able to find ways of strengthening our own communities as a sure support and comfort to us all - whatever may lie ahead. And always remembering that no matter how bad things seem, they will improve, for our Heavenly Father is merciful and loving of all his children.
"My family joins me in wishing you all a very merry Christmas, and a happy and safe New Year.
"Deus Vobiscum."
[END BROADCAST]
OOC: Seriously; merry christmas everyone, and a happy new year (no matter who you are).