The Queen has said Jesus Christ's example helps us to see the value of doing small things with great love.

In her annual Christmas address broadcast at 15.00GMT, the Monarch spoke of her own faith and how she takes inspiration from his life and teaching.

Her Majesty used Christ's example to encourage people into "small acts of goodness" which she said can make a difference even when the world's problems seem so vast.

The Queen also praised the achievements of British Olympians and Paralympians in the summer games in Rio.

"Having discovered abilities they scarcely knew they had, these athletes are now inspiring others," she said.

But she went on: "Even with the inspiration of others it is understandable that we sometimes think the world's problems are so big we can do little to help.

"On our own we cannot end wars or wipe out injustice.

"But the cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of goodness can be bigger than we imagine.

"At Christmas our attention is drawn to the birth of a baby some two thousand years ago.

"It was the humblest of beginnings. His parents Joseph and Mary did not think they were important. Jesus Christ lived obscurely for most of his life and never traveled far.

"He was maligned and rejected by many though he had done no wrong.

"Yet billions of people now follow his teaching and find in him the guiding light for their lives

"I am one of them because Christ's example helps me to see the value of doing small things with great love whoever does them and whatever they themselves believe."

Her Majesty also mentioned the achievements of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which celebrated its 60^th anniversary this year and The Prince's Trust, which passed its 40^th anniversary.

The Queen did not attend church on Christmas Day for the first time in nearly 30 years. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said she is still suffering from a heavy cold.

The message was recorded before the news that her granddaughter, Zara TIndall and her husband Mike, had lost their baby.

The couple had been expecting their second child in late spring. It would have been the Queen's sixth great-grandchild.

"Very sadly, Zara and Mike Tindall have lost their baby. At this difficult time, we ask that everyone respects their privacy," a spokeswoman said.

This year's alternative Christmas message on Channel 4 will be given by Brendan Cox, widower of murdered MP Jo Cox. He will call for an end to the "rise in hatred" as well as paying tribute to his late wife.