Princess Catherine is getting emotional for Christmas — and delivering a very heartfelt message ahead of her annual carol service.

That service will take place in front of 1,600 guests at Westminster Abbey this coming Friday. But on Monday, days ahead of the always much-anticipated event, Prince William‘s wife sent out an emotionally-charged letter to those who will be in attendance.

Of course, it has been a very difficult year for Kate Middleton and her family. The 42-year-old has spent much of the year recovering from cancer treatment after being diagnosed nearly a year ago. And now, based on this new letter, it sounds like she is understandably determined to focus on the positives in her life.

Per People and others who have viewed the letter, Kate began by acknowledging that the Christmas season is one of her favorite times of year because it offers a pause on the hectic nature of life “for celebration and joy” instead. She noted:

“It also gives us the opportunity to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all. It is when we stop and take ourselves away from the pressures of daily life that we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness — so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about.”

The season does more than that for the mother of three, too. She acknowledged how Christmas “reflects our own vulnerabilities,” adding:

“[It also] reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences.”

Before delivering an optimistic opinion on the holiday season’s ability to encourage people to turn to love rather than fear:

“Above all else, it encourages us to turn to love, not fear. The love that we show ourselves and the love we show others. Love that listens with empathy, love that is kind and understanding, love that is forgiving and love that brings joy and hope.”

So true. And that is especially poignant considering all that Kate herself has been through in the last 12 months. There has been relatively much less joy and much more pain, sorrow, and fear involved for her, Wills, and their three children Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte as the family continues to navigate Kate’s cancer battle.

Nevertheless, she was determined to end her letter on a positive note. Regarding that aforementioned love of others, she wrote:

“It is this love which is the greatest gift we can receive … Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times. We all have something we can offer one another. Gentle words or a receptive ear, an arm around an exhausted shoulder, or silently being by someone’s side.”

And she wrapped things by sharing with attendees her excitement at Friday’s forthcoming carol service:

“[The carol service] is a heartfelt celebration of every one of you, and a reminder that at Christmas, and throughout the year, we must all shine for each other, because in times of joy and sadness, we are all each other’s light.”

BTW, per People, this year’s carol service is chock full of star power. Not only will Prince William deliver a reading on the theme of love and empathy, but Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery will speak, as will actress Sophie Okonedo and actor Richard E. Grant. There will obviously be plenty of carols, too, along with special musical performances by singers Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean, and Gregory Porter.