Lest We Forget

by Traci Hubbard

Scripture: John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Every year, on November 11th, Canadians pause to remember. We stand in the crisp autumn air, wearing our poppies, hearts heavy yet grateful. The silence at 11 o’clock is not empty—it is full. Full of memory. Full of honor. Full of love. Remembrance Day is not just about looking back at history—it’s about looking within ourselves and asking, “What kind of people will we be because of what they gave?”

A few years ago, a story made its way around Canada. A little boy was standing at a Remembrance Day ceremony beside his grandfather. When the moment of silence began, the boy fidgeted, looked around, and finally tugged at his grandfather’s sleeve.

“Grandpa,” he whispered, “why do we stand so still?” The old man looked down, his medals catching the light, and said softly, “We stand still because they can’t.”

The boy frowned. “Who can’t?” “The ones who didn’t come home,” his grandfather replied. “We stand for them—because they stood for us.”

That’s what remembrance is: not just a ceremony, but a continuation of their courage. We stand, we remember, we carry the torch.

Lest we forget.

In the Bible, the Divine tells people again and again: “Remember.” Remember the covenant. Remember the deliverance. Remember the sacrifice. Because when we forget, we lose not just history—we lose humanity. When Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me,” He was giving us more than a ritual. He was giving us an anchor. Remembrance keeps our hearts from drifting into apathy. And so, it is with Remembrance Day. We remember not to glorify war, but to glorify love—the kind of love that runs into danger so others can live in peace.

The poppy is small, but it carries a great truth: Freedom is fragile. Peace is precious. Sacrifice is sacred. Those who went before us gave their today for our tomorrow. And now, it is our turn—not to fight with weapons, but to fight with faith, compassion, and justice. To stand for truth. To defend the voiceless. To love our neighbors—even the difficult ones. Because remembrance is hollow if it doesn’t change how we live.

I once heard someone say, “If history repeats itself, I’m getting a helmet.” But perhaps the better idea is: if history repeats itself, let’s remember it before it does. Let’s live so that those who sacrificed would look at our world and say, “It was worth it.”

Today, as we bow our heads and whisper, “Lest we forget,” may it not just be a slogan. May it be a promise—a promise to remember courage, to honor sacrifice, and to live with love. Because remembrance is not just something we do one day a year. It’s something we carry every day in our hearts.

Lest we forget.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 77:11–12

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

and John 15:13

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

On Tuesday, across our nation, people will pause to remember. They will gather in churches, in town squares, at cenotaphs, and in school gymnasiums. People will wear red poppies over their hearts and bow their heads in silence. And as the bugle sounds The Last Post, all of us will remember those who went to war—young men and women who left farms, factories, classrooms, and homes—to serve a cause greater than themselves.

We remember them, and we whisper the solemn words: “Lest we forget.”

But what do those words really mean?

The Meaning of “Lest We Forget”

That little phrase is more than a motto; it’s a warning and a promise. “Lest we forget” means “so that we do not forget.” Because human hearts are forgetful. Time has a way of dulling memory, of softening hard truths. So, we say, again and again: Lest we forget.

Lest we forget the bravery that faced fear. Lest we forget the cost of our freedom. Lest we forget that peace was bought with blood. And for us as people of faith, we also say:Lest we forget the One who laid down His life not just for His friends—but for the entire world.

A minister once visited a man in his nineties in a nursing home. As they talked, the man opened his bedside drawer and carefully pulled out a small box. Inside was an old war medal, its ribbon faded with age. “I haven’t worn it in years,” he said. “But I keep it close—not to remind me of war, but to remind me of why I came home. So, I’d never take peace for granted.” Then he added quietly, “You know, Pastor, the real danger isn’t that we’ll forget the war. It’s that we’ll forget the lessons it taught us.”

That’s the heart of Remembrance Day. Not to glorify war, but to glorify sacrifice. Not to dwell in sorrow, but to live in gratitude.

In Scripture, the Holy often tells people to remember. We read that YHWH instructed Israel to set up stones after crossing the Jordan River, saying: “When your children ask what these stones mean, tell them the story.” (Joshua 4:6–7) Why? Because memory keeps faith alive. Forgetfulness leads to pride and peace without purpose. Even in the New Testament, Jesus gives us a command at the table: “Do this in remembrance of me.”

Remembrance, then, is holy. When we remember rightly, we see not just what was lost—but what was given. And we are moved to live differently because of it. When Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this”, he was describing the very heart of sacrifice.

The soldiers who fought for freedom lived out that truth. They gave up their comfort, their safety, their futures—for the sake of others. And every time we choose love over hatred, peace over anger, mercy over revenge—we, too, honor that same spirit of sacrifice. Our remembrance is empty if it doesn’t lead to compassion. It’s not enough to remember the fallen—we must live in a way worthy of their sacrifice.

So let us remember by serving. Let us remember by forgiving. Let us remember by building bridges where others build walls. Because the best memorial to the fallen is not made of stone—but of hearts that practice peace.

Someone once joked, “If history repeats itself, I’m getting a helmet.” But we don’t need a helmet—we need humility. Remembrance isn’t about bracing for another battle; it’s about learning from the last one. It’s about saying, “Never again,” and meaning it.

As we stand in silence today—whether at a monument or in our hearts—may we remember not only the sorrow, but also the hope. For just as soldiers gave their lives for freedom, so Jesus gave His life for eternal peace. Maybe one day, the Prince of Peace will reign in every heart and “nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4)

Until that day, we remember. We give thanks. We carry the torch.

Lest we forget.

Prayer

Spirit of wisdom, peace, and remembrance, we thank You

for those who gave their lives for freedom.

We remember their courage, their sacrifice, and their faith.

Help us to live lives worthy of their legacy—

to be peacemakers, bridge-builders, and bearers of hope.

May we never forget the cost of peace,

nor the love that calls us to remember.

Through the ways of Jesus we pray,

amen.