A Life of Service and the most precious commodity of all ... Time

King Charles III, Christmas Message, 2022

[December 25th 2022]

A most profound first Christmas message from King Charles III, from St George's Chapel, following on from (and in memory of) the late Queen Elizabeth II, reminding us of a heartfelt and devoted life of Service ... founded on Virtue ... and shining a light to the future ...

" I'm standing here in this exquisite chapel of St George at Windsor Castle, so close to where my beloved mother, the late queen, is laid to rest with my dear father. I am reminded of the deeply touching letters, cards and messages which so many of you have sent my wife and myself. And I cannot thank you enough for the love and sympathy you have shown our whole family. 

Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones. We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each cherished tradition. In the much loved carol, 'O little town of Bethlehem,' we sing of 'how in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light. My mother's belief in the power of that light was an essential part of her faith in God, but also her faith in people. And it is one which I share with my whole heart. 

It is a belief in the extraordinary ability of each person to touch with goodness and compassion, the lives of others, and to shine a light in the world around them. This is the essence of our community and the very foundation of our society. 

We see it in the selfless dedication of our armed forces and emergency services, who work tirelessly to keep us all safe, and who performed so magnificently as we mourn the passing of our late queen. We see it in our health and social care professionals, our teachers, and indeed all those working in public service whose skills and commitment are at the heart of our communities. 

And at this time of great anxiety and hardship, be it for those around the world facing conflict, famine, or natural disaster, or for those at home finding ways to pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm, we see it in the humanity of people throughout our nations and the Commonwealth, who so readily respond to the plight of others. 

I particularly want to pay tribute to all those wonderfully kind people who so generously give food or donations or that most precious commodity of all, their time, to support those around them in greatest need, together with the many charitable organisations which do such extraordinary work in the most difficult circumstances. 

Our churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and gurdwaras have once again united in feeding the hungry, providing love and support throughout the year. Such heartfelt solidarity is the most inspiring expression of loving our neighbour as ourself. The Prince and Princess of Wales recently visited Wales, shining a light on practical examples of this community spirit. 

Some years ago, I was able to fulfil a lifelong wish to visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity. There I went down into the chapel of the manger and stood in silent reverence by the Silver Star that is inlaid on the floor and marks the place of our Lord Jesus Christ's birth. 

It meant more to me than I can possibly express to stand on that spot where, as the Bible tells us, the light that has come into the world was born. While Christmas is, of course, a Christian celebration, the power of light overcoming darkness is celebrated across the boundaries of faith and belief. 

'So whatever faith you have or whether you have none, it is in this life-giving-light and with the true humility that lies in our service to others that I believe we can find hope for the future. 

Let us therefore celebrate it together and cherish it always. With all my heart, I wish each of you a Christmas of peace, happiness and everlasting light."

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There are many profound elements to King Charles' III first Christmas broadcast and listed below are just a few that very much chimed with me, and align perfectly with the Foundation's plans ...

"It is a belief in the extraordinary ability of each person to touch with goodness and compassion, the lives of others, and to shine a light in the world around them. This is the essence of our community and the very foundation of our society ..."

[eg. Good Points®, Kindness Points®, Virtue Points®, Community Points®, Volunteer Points®, Charity Points®, Environment Points®, Climate Points®, Mentoring Points®, Coaching Points® and Tutoring Points®, as well as Character Points® and Society Points® etc]

"I particularly want to pay tribute to all those wonderfully kind people who so generously give food or donations or that most precious commodity of all, their time, to support those around them in greatest need, together with the many charitable organisations which do such extraordinary work in the most difficult circumstances"

[eg. Food Points®, Donator Points®, Power of an Hour®, Volunteer Hours®, Charity Hours®, Community Hours®, Care Hours®, Environment Hours®, Mentoring Hours®, Coaching Hours® and Tutoring Hours® etc, and Hours translate to Points]

"Such heartfelt solidarity is the most inspiring expression of loving our neighbour as ourself."

[Mission - Creating a world where good is valued and people and communities thrive™, Society Points®, Citizen Points®, Youth Points®, Humanity Points®, Social Points® and Care Points® etc]

"So whatever faith you have or whether you have none, it is in this life-giving-light and with the true humility that lies in our service to others that I believe we can find hope for the future. Let us therefore celebrate it together and cherish it always."

[Purpose - Providing hope and opportunity and continuously improving well-being™, Spiritual Points®, Virtue Points®, Service Points®, Benevolent Points®, Humanity Points® and People Points® etc]

... all of which help us to take a step further towards our vision of ... 'seeing' a world where values are valued and the world thrives™.

Wish you good health and I hope you are able to enjoy this festive period* ... and wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

David Clift, Founder of the Good Turns Foundation

 * This foundation has been set up in memory of my late mother, Anne Clift [1942-2021], who two years ago could not do this, as hospitalised due to poor health at the height of the covid outbreak (without any family being able to visit), and fell asleep on 3rd Feb. 2021. Mom this is for you. 

© Good Turns Foundation 2022    [GTF25122022_01]