Remembrance Day Hymn: "Freedom is a Gift to Treasure"

Although technically Remembrance Day is a civil observance of a significant day, it definitely has spiritual and religious overtones which are important to acknowledge and enter into. Depending on the focus of a church observance of Remembrance Day, the message of scripture, both Old and New Testaments, has much to say to us as we observe this solemn and thoughtful day.

I grew up observing Remembrance Day by attending observances at school and the local cenotaph. I remember when I worked in retail at Woolco, the store became silent at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. It was important to observe a moment of silence to remember and honor those who fought in the wars of the past, and all those who were in any way affected.

Beyond remembering the past, though, I think as a faithful observance of this day we are also called to look to the future and pray for peace and justice that comes about by means other than wars. The kingdom message of scripture is about a way of living which God intends for all people and the world which he created. I think God laments and cries when he witnesses what we do to one another, and to creation too, often in the name of goodness. And to be sure, our actions may be motivated by the best of intentions; I wouldn't want to downplay that. However, I believe that when it comes to wars, whether past or present, no one comes out a winner; everyone loses something; and for me personally, in the end we as a universal people are less because of it.

Scripture calls us to seek, know and share with one another a peace which is beyond human understanding. We can't create that peace; only God ultimately can. However, in our lives, relationships, homes, churches, places where we work or go to school, with our neighbors, and even with those we may disagree with and not get along with. We can't effect world peace on our own; but we can contribute to a more peaceful environment in our every day lives and relationships with others around us.

This hymn is written with faith and hope that God's peace can and will be a reality; that we will know a freedom which is a gift and experience justice like nothing we can ever ask for or imagine; and that we can learn that lesson, I believe, without the cost and sacrifice of human life. My prayer is that we can learn from the conflicts of the past, and the present too, that the world in the end isn't a better place because of war, hatred and violence.

"Freedom is a Gift to Treasure"

Tune: Hymn to Joy
Meter: 8787D

Freedom is a gift to treasure
peace amidst the throws of war;
justice worked out beyond measure
as we’ve never known before.
God’s intention is a blessing
hope for all the world throughout,
as we deal with issues pressing
which are often cause for doubt.

Prophets lay a firm foundation;
Jesus Christ the cornerstone.
God the source of our salvation
sets for us our hopeful tone.
Will we learn of the great freedom
without cost of human life?
God’s intention is His kingdom
living future without strife.

Instruments of war and hatred
used instead to till the sod;
acting justly, loving mercy,
walking humbly with our God.
Pray respect among all people
is the truth we come to know.
Christ we follow, His disciple;
peace and justice, may they grow.

Text: copyright, The Rev. Mark Kinghan, 2011. Not to be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the express written permission of the author.