Dec-Jan '10
Leading this year's Remembrance Service in Mary Stevens Park was a real privilege. Along the main pathway several hundred people congregated, stretching from the bandstand at one end to the main park gates at the other. The service was a blend of prayers, silence, wreath-laying and hymns. It was pleasing to see a handful of Hanbury Hillers in attendance!
Fresh in my memory on the day was a provocative newspaper editorial that I had read the previous evening. If
I had included some of its words at the service I am certain I would have been quickly escorted off the podium. "Thanks for coming, you've robbed this act of remembrance from its real meaning. You've corrupted it of its original intention and this is now just all show-business." I guess the shockwaves and the collective gasp of breath would have been felt and heard as far as Chapel Street!
In my view the newspaper article was risky, especially on the eve of what is rightly a solemn occasion of great significance -heightened this year by the tragedy of fatalities in Afghanistan. Despite its riskiness, the writer certainly wasn't turning a blind eye to those who have sacrificed their own lives during warfare. He was actually making the interesting point that the original intention of those who commissioned
the first, temporary, Cenotaph at Whitehall was to give the powers-that-be a stark reminder of the dire consequences of sending troops to war. Instead, the fallen became distanced from the politics that brought war about. The writer regretted that over the years our way of remembering war and its casualties has not really contributed to lowering the numbers of fatalities. Laying wreaths hasn't really prevented further outbreaks of war. Essentially this is why, rightly or wrongly, he viewed remembrance parades as “a balm to the consciences of all of us who have failed to stop war".
In a short while we shall all be embarking on another occasion of significance: Christmas! What would happen if the Secretary announced at
the start of a Carol Service, or the Minister at the end: "Thanks for coming, you've robbed Christmas of its real meaning. This is just show-business." Don't worry - this is a hypothetical scenario and never going to happen! But it could send out the message that during Christmas time we can all too easily come to church and yet continue to keep God at arm's length during the rest of the festivities. The pressure to only celebrate the outer wrappings comes at the expense of losing what lies at the core of our celebration: that God incarnated himself and took on a human body. Sharing all our joys and sorrows, standing in solidarity with a world of pain and tragedy. Putting flesh on God's kingdom of hope, love, forgiveness and justice.
So, may this Christmas and New Year be an opportunity to connect with the true spirit of the season, and worship the Christ who entered this world full of grace and truth. May it not be said of us that the act of remembering Christ's birth has become devoid of real meaning. Let us remember Christ’s words as he approached Jerusalem on the way to his
cross: "If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things
that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes" (Luke 19:42). Let us make every effort to make peace and recognise in our small corners – and further a-field – all that contributes to God’s shalom.
Wishing you a joyful Christmas and peaceful
new year,
Andy
