When We Remember

This past Sunday I was aware of the weight of the occasion - the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, the supposed “Great War” that was to end all wars. Being on Remembrance Day itself made it that much more important somehow.

Last week the congregation’s last World War II veteran died and it had been hoped that he would be part of the procession with the wreath and flag. Two of his grandsons filled in and a granddaughter read In Flanders Field. Even as we were reminded of his loss, someone who had marched in full uniform year after year, we celebrated the 90th birthday of a wonderful woman whose family had come to surprise her for a big party Saturday. One of her daughters had created a 2 x 3’ needlepoint of Mary and baby Jesus that was given to the congregation in honour of her mom and all veterans. I only found out after the service that World War I vets were taught how to needlepoint and cross stitch to help them combat shell shock, or what we today know as PTSD.

All of this is fresh in my mind as I write - not only the reality that we have long lost all our World War I vets and now most of our World War II vets, but that the cycle of life and conflict continues all around us. As we struggle towards being peacemakers, and as we seek to be faithful in remembering and celebrating sacrifices made in honour of our freedoms, God is with us and ties things together. We are reminded of God’s goodness, of the faithfulness of generations to serve in dangerous places for the good of humanity, and of the horrific cost of war.

Remembrance Day is over, but it should leave an impression on us. It can never become a ritual, merely an event on the calendar to get through on the way to Advent. We remember by how we affirm the values that were fought for and protected. Someone made the comment to me that more children seem to be attending Remembrance Day ceremonies and are interested in our history. Whether or not that’s true, and certainly it being held on a Sunday helps with attendance, we do need to remember and pass on the stories and not sugarcoat or glorify war itself and the devastating impact of human violence.

We remember best when we live each day in gratitude, when we as the body of Christ strive to live as He did, our Prince of Peace. We can talk and strategize with our kids and youth about what to do in situations of conflict and tension at school and other places. We can talk about non-violent ways of responding to those who disagree with us and even threaten or bully us. We can become involved with organizations like Amnesty International and stay aware of situations of conflict and injustice around the world that need our prayers and advocacy. We can make better choices about the movies and video games that we pour money into, aware that depicting violence as entertainment breeds a culture of tolerance of violence. We can intervene when hatred rears its head but supporting victims, signing petitions and writing to politicians about our concerns.

These are just some of the ways that, as we look towards Advent, we can live out the words of Isaiah 40:3-5:

A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highways four our God in the desert. Every valley shall be lifted up and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”