Queen's Speech looks back at year of ISIS atrocities and forward to her 90th birthday

Queen says 'darkness has not overcome the light' as she looks back at year of ISIS atrocities and tells terror group they will never win

Queen spoke about light triumphing over dark in Christmas message

Told nation the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year

But, quoting the Bible, she read a verse of hope from the Gospel of John

Her Majesty also gave thanks to family and renewed armed forces gratitude

WATCH the full nine-minute long speech in our video box below

See more news from the Queen's speech at www.dailymail.co.uk/thequeen

Published: 19:00 EST, 24 December 2015 | Updated: 11:37 EST, 26 December 2015

The Queen used her Christmas Day message to highlight the 'moments of darkness' the world has confronted - stressing the Christian message that light always triumphs over the dark.

A series of terrorist atrocities have shocked the world during 2015, from the mass shootings and bombings in Paris last month to the gun attack at a Tunisia resort during the summer.

But the Queen, whose address contained a traditionally strong religious framework, reflecting her own faith, sounded optimistic in quoting a verse from the Bible - insisting ISIS, or any other terror network, will not ever succeed in their twisted extremist agenda.

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The Queen, whose address contained a traditionally strong religious framework, reflecting her own faith, sounded optimistic in quoting a verse from the Bible

Reflecting on the past 12 months, the monarch told the nation: 'It is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year, but the Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope, often read at Christmas carol services: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it"'

In her annual address - screened at 3pm this afternoon - the Queen described the festive period as 'a time to remember all that we have to be thankful for'.

In a year that marked the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, Her Majesty also offered renewed appreciation for the service and sacrifice of those who took part in the conflict.

She gave thanks to 'the people who bring love and happiness into our own lives', starting with family.

In one light-hearted quip, the Queen also joked about her upcoming landmark birthday.

She will turn 90 next year and recognised that by saying: 'I am looking forward to a busy 2016, though I have been warned I may have Happy Birthday sung to me more than once or twice.'

The Queen photographed this morning arriving at the first Christmas Day church service at Sandringham (left). She then changed into a red outfit to attend her second service of the day (right)

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were also at the service, which took place at St Mary Magdalene Church

Continuing the theme of light, she twice mentioned Queen Victoria and Prince Albert being the first people to bring the tradition of erecting a Christmas tree to Britain, adding that they had changed significantly since then.

The Queen recorded her Christmas message seated at a desk in Buckingham Palace's 18th Century Room in the Belgian Suite, with a large Christmas tree in the background.

She is wearing a tweed day dress in white and silver by Angela Kelly which was part of an outfit worn for a Diamond Jubilee visit to Wales in 2012.

Address: The Queen was wearing a tweed day dress in white and silver by Angela Kelly, part of an outfit worn for a Diamond Jubilee visit to Wales in 2012, and had three family photographs on the desk where she was sitting

Fond memories: The first photograph on the Queen's desk was taken by celebrated fashion photographer Mario Testino to mark the christening of Princess Charlotte in July (pictured)

On her left shoulder sat an art deco diamond and aquamarine brooch, previously owned by the Queen Mother, and around her neck were three strands of pearls.

There were three family photographs on her desk. The first was taken by celebrated fashion photographer Mario Testino to mark the christening of Princess Charlotte in July. The image shows the Duchess of Cambridge holding her daughter while the Duke holds his son Prince George.

The second photo was of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall on their wedding day in April 2005, and the final image was an informal picture of the Queen, wearing a headscarf and jacket, and the Duke of Edinburgh, wearing a flat cap and jacket, laughing as they lean on walking sticks at the Sandringham Estate.

The second photograph is of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall on their wedding day in April 2005

The Christmas address was written by the Queen and reflected current issues, drawing on her own experiences over the past year.

The speech is notably one of the rare occasions when she does not turn to the Government for advice but is able to voice her own views.

The message was transmitted on television and radio at 3pm and was produced this year by ITN.

It is now available on the Royal Channel on YouTube and will also be shown in Commonwealth countries.

'LIGHT SHINES IN DARKNESS' THE QUEEN'S CHRISTMAS SPEECH IN FULL

At this time of year, few sights evoke more feelings of cheer and goodwill than the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree.

The popularity of a tree at Christmas is due in part to my great-great grandparents, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. After this touching picture was published, many families wanted a Christmas tree of their own, and the custom soon spread.

In 1949, I spent Christmas in Malta as a newly-married naval wife. We have returned to that island over the years, including last month for a meeting of Commonwealth leaders; and this year I met another group of leaders: The Queen's Young Leaders, an inspirational group, each of them a symbol of hope in their own Commonwealth communities.

The Queen recorded her Christmas message seated at a desk in Buckingham Palace's 18th Century Room

Gathering round the tree gives us a chance to think about the year ahead - I am looking forward to a busy 2016, though I have been warned I may have Happy Birthday sung to me more than once or twice. It also allows us to reflect on the year that has passed, as we think of those who are far away or no longer with us. Many people say the first Christmas after losing a loved one is particularly hard. But it's also a time to remember all that we have to be thankful for.

It is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year, but the Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope, often read at Christmas carol services: 'The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it'.

One cause for thankfulness this summer was marking 70 years since the end of the Second World War. On VJ Day, we honoured the remaining veterans of that terrible conflict in the Far East, as well as remembering the thousands who never returned.

The Queen twice mentioned Queen Victoria and Prince Albert being the first people to bring the tradition of erecting a Christmas tree to Britain

The procession from Horse Guards Parade to Westminster Abbey must have been one of the slowest ever, because so many people wanted to say 'thank you' to them.

At the end of that war, the people of Oslo began sending an annual gift of a Christmas tree for Trafalgar Square. It has 500 light bulbs and is enjoyed not just by Christians but by people of all faiths, and of none. At the very top sits a bright star, to represent the Star of Bethlehem.

The custom of topping a tree also goes back to Prince Albert's time. For his family's tree, he chose an angel, helping to remind us that the focus of the Christmas story is on one particular family.

For Joseph and Mary, the circumstances of Jesus's birth - in a stable - were far from ideal, but worse was to come as the family was forced to flee the country. It's no surprise that such a human story still captures our imagination and continues to inspire all of us who are Christians, the world over.

Despite being displaced and persecuted throughout his short life, Christ's unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence but simply that we should love one another.

Although it is not an easy message to follow, we shouldn't be discouraged; rather, it inspires us to try harder: to be thankful for the people who bring love and happiness into our own lives, and to look for ways of spreading that love to others, whenever and wherever we can.

One of the joys of living a long life is watching one's children, then grandchildren, then great grandchildren, help decorate the Christmas tree. And this year my family has a new member to join in the fun!

The customary decorations have changed little in the years since that picture of Victoria and Albert's tree first appeared, although of course electric lights have replaced the candles.

There's an old saying that 'it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness'.

There are millions of people lighting candles of hope in our world today. Christmas is a good time to be thankful for them, and for all that brings light to our lives.

I wish you a very happy Christmas.