Christmas Speech

A Christmas speech is a speech which is held on the occasion of Christmas. ==Monarchs and Presidents[ Edit] == In several countries it is customary for the head of State on Christmas day (december 25) Christmas with a speech that through the television or the radio is broadcast. Nowadays, the Christmas message also to see on internet .

Common themes in Royal or presidential Christmas speeches are:

Christmas was originally a Christian party. In most countries is considered a head of State above the parties and so to express no preference for the traditions of a specific religious group. On the other hand usually is therefore above all reference to values that are associated with the Christian Christmas party, but on the other hand, wide appreciated in society.
 * attention to the less fortunate fellow human beings
 * reconciliation in conflicts between individuals, populations
 * peace in the world
 * tolerance
 * spiritual values

Some countries where heads of State usually speak a Christmas speech:

In Spain, the head of State a similar sort of speech with new year, called a new year's speech. On the day before Christmas some Presidents of the autonomous communities of Spain a speech, which is broadcast on the local tv channels.
 * Netherlands (by the King). All public expressions of the King, including the Christmas speech, fall under the ministerial responsibility of the cabinet. However, unlike for example the speech from the throne, the King (in) itself is the lead author of the Christmas speech.
 * Belgium (by the King)
 * United Kingdom and the countries of the British Commonwealth that the Queen of Great Britain as head of State have.
 * Germany

In Germany the Federal president holds since 1970 a Christmas speech, while the Chancellor holds a new year's speech. From 1949 to 1969 was the opposite.

Compared to a new year's speech there is in a Christmas speech often more attention for more ' spiritual ' subjects, which related to the religious nature of Christmas. In a new year's speech there is often more attention to what is good or less went well in the past year and for future expectations. ==Pope[ Edit] == When the Pope is in Rome at noon Sunday, he gives his apostolic blessing from the window of his study (second window on the right side of the top floor) of the St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. He does this after the Angeles prayer or Regina Coeli. On Christmas day and Easter Sunday, the Pope a Christmas or Easter speech, after which he pronounces the blessing Urbi et Orbi . This solemn blessing the faithful around the world grants absolution, when they the blessing by radio, television or internet directly follow.