Introduction
How does one make a speech about “Thanksgiving”? These were my thoughts when I was first asked to give this address and told the theme.
Despite the title, and the obvious meaning of the word, it is not an easy speech to give.
Of course one immediately thinks of the Harvest Festival of Thanksgiving in the United States and Canada.
Or even to go back further to the Bible.
The concept of Thanksgiving is prevalent in the Jewish tradition. The Festival of Succoth, also known as the The Tabernacles, was one which Jewish people gave thanks for the Harvest. Jews celebrate Succoth to remember the redemption from slavery in Egypt, to arrival in the land of Israel. To celebrate agriculture and the Harvest.
It is no accident that many of the early Puritans who first arrived in America, saw their new country as the promised land. Many had Old Testament names. Some even viewed their arrival into the United States as akin to the Jewish exodus. Many adopted aspects of Hebraic law and the United States Thanksgiving ceremony grew out of this tradition.
Closely allied to Succoth - as one of the three Pilgrim festivals of the Old Testament, is Shavuot, celebrated in late May or June. Not only does this festival commemorate when Moses was given the ten commandments, but also a time when Jewish farmers would bring fruit to the Temple as gratitude for food that had grown on the field and for G-d’s guidance and support.
The Themes of Thanksgiving
So we have some distinct themes here to thanksgiving: Gratitude for food that has been provided, an acknowledgment of the nature that made it possible, faith in G-d, faith in humanity, a commemoration of the triumph of adversity, of struggle and human endeavour.
But Thanksgiving also symbolises something else. It marks the difference between man and animal. The very act of giving thanks is a form of discipline. It shows that there is something beyond simple instinct. It means we acknowledged something higher than our immediate selves. Less “me, myself and I” but “you, we, others and of course, G-d”.
Civilisation and Barbarians
That is the difference between a society that is civilised and one that is ruled by barbarians.
I remembered this last year when I attended a special event organised by the Harlow Branch of St John's Ambulance. We were assembled to bless two new ambulances, that local members and volunteers had spent months, raising thousands of pounds in order to pay for them.
A local priest, blessed the vehicles and the St Johns Branch - in what I found to be a very moving event. The very act of blessing the St John's new ambulances, showed that they were more than just machines, but vehicles in which dedicated people would look after the sick and vulnerable. In other words, they were the purest emblem of everything that is good about a decent society.
Mr Russell
I want to give you just one other example of how Harlow embodies the very best traditions and ethos of thanksgiving. On Friday evening, I was pleased to be invited to the Annual General Meeting of the Michael Roberts Charitable Trust. Many of you in this Church today, will know of its work: The Foodbank, the Maybury Opendoor club, the work with London Homeless and much more besides.
At one part of the evening a young man came to the front of the room. His name was Russell. This was a man who had suffered signficant mental health difficulties and for a time had been placed in the Derwent Centre. When discharged, he went to live in a room, with no family, no friends around, no TV, no furniture, no possessions, no job, no nothing. He was simply left to his own devices.
Just think for a moment. A man who had been seriously mentally ill, had been sent away from hospital and left to fend for himself.
Unsurprisingly, with no food or any other kind of human comfort, Russell soon became more hungry, more anxious, and began to relapse backwards. One day he passed - by chance- the Harefield Church and walked in. By chance the Maybury Opendoor club was having a Christmas dinner. He was invited in, given tea and biscuits, joined the Christmas dinner. Through the Maybury Centre, Russell found not just food, but a new family, a support network, friends and even posessions. He now has a job, working at another charity, helping those who have suffered in a similar way.
Conclusion
So what is the moral message within this? Not just that this man was given food and friendship. Not even that he had been supported spontaneously by a wonderful community institution - showing Harlow at its very very best.
To me, the message is clear. That to struggle and come through adversity, to fight against the odds - can be recognised by a higher being. That there is a G-d there to help in our hour of need. That thanksgiving must be about faith in G-d and the victory over adversity.
And it why we must give thanks and remember all that is possible and good.
Thank you.
by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
