The other day, I a song stuck in my head “sung” by Michael Caine, in the Muppet Christmas Carol called “Thankful heart” – Scrooge has just awoken from his ghostly visitation and enters London on Christmas Day, a changed man, and sings “And every day will start, with a grateful prayer and a thankful heart”. I did get a strange look when I started humming this “Christmas” song in May.
Yet having a grateful prayer and thankful heart was highlighted to me at the commemoration and re-enactment of the Liberation of Jersey. I cannot deny there was a lump in my throat when I saw the Union Flag raised over Fort Regent and there was a grateful prayer for those who brought, and those who still bring freedom to others. Also a thankful heart that since those dark days, we still live in freedom - freedom to go where we want, talk to who we want, moan at what we want - all without fear of oppression or consequence.
Liberation Day is a day to stop and recognise and celebrate the freedom that we enjoy, and not to take it for granted. It is important to hear the stories of the occupation and the hardships suffered, and the unimaginable joy and gratitude to the Red Cross with the life-giving arrival of SS Vega and to Force 135 on Liberation Day.
We live in freedom, we live in a democracy, we live in a beautiful island, and we live, of course, in the most beautiful of all the twelve parishes, it is right to have gratitude and thankfulness as part of our daily lives. But also, a sense of responsibility that we need to ensure this freedom is not lost. We can’t physically bring freedom to the world, but we can make a difference. Going back to Scrooge, he is grateful for what he has, and he aims to live for the betterment of others as a result, it’s a challenge not just for Christmas, but all the year around. Often you hear the word ‘salvation’ in churches - the ancient root of that word is freedom, the lifting of oppression, and better things to come. When we pray, Thy Kingdom Come in the Lord’s Prayer, we are praying, hoping for freedom to come. But prayer is not just telling God what we want, prayer challenges us, to be part of making a difference in the world.
How do you feel when someone waves “thank you” if you let them out of a junction? How do you feel when they don’t! A simple act of kindness can make a difference, a thank you, a smile, signing a petition, or giving to a charity! All small things in the grand scheme of things but when we consider what happens in our world, and the freedom we enjoy, don’t be surprised if “how do I play my part?” nibbles at your conscience or a grateful prayer or a thankful heart make a surprise visit.