The 77-year-old king looked back at the end of World War II, and in his speech recalled how people then united across borders in their longing for peace.
"When we hear of division both at home and abroad, these are values that we must never lose sight of," the king said in the pre-recorded televised speech from Westminster Abbey in London.
The king is hopeful that good will defeat evil.
"I see it as us needing to cherish compassion and reconciliation," Charles continued.
It is the second time the king has delivered his Christmas speech from a location other than his royal residence. Last year, he spoke from a former hospital chapel. Charles, who has undergone cancer treatment, framed the Christmas speech as a thank you to healthcare workers.
In addition to continuing cancer treatment, Charles has had to deal with difficulties within the family over the year. Among other things, the king stripped his younger brother Andrew of his princely title, in the wake of Andrew's contacts with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
