2012 has been a significant year in the life of our nation for many reasons, but in my home city of Liverpool, one of them has been the startling raft of revelations that have emerged from the Hillsborough enquiry, which reported on 12th September. It was over 23 years previously that 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death at an FA cup semi-final match. A day that should have been dominated by a keen fought contest between two longstanding rivals, became instead forever associated with the needless and tragic deaths of a group of innocent fans.
But no-one could have then imagined how events would unfold. For over two decades, popular myths were promoted, seeking to lay the blame squarely on the shoulders of those who had become victims. Those who refused to believe these malicious deceits were mocked, stonewalled, bullied and ignored, but they held tenaciously to their cause and were eventually vindicated.
As I stood on the steps of St George's Plateau, waiting to take my part in the service of vigil that marked the end of the day on which the truth was finally revealed, it was only then that I realised how my entire career as a Christian Minister had been overshadowed by the events of that day. It was my departure for theological college later that year, which brought an end to my regular attendance at Liverpool home games and cup ties, but also exposed me to prejudices that I now come to recognise as having much of their root in reactions and responses to that tragedy.
But I realised too, that so many of the messages and images of my Christian faith have strong resonance with the story of the Hillsborough justice campaign. As I began to look forward to Advent in the forthcoming weeks, I saw much of its message echoed in the Hillsborough story.
Advent is more than counting down the shopping days to Christmas, or becoming increasingly excited about much anticipated presents and parties with friends and family. It is marked by a spirit of expectation, of longing for deliverance from the evils of this world; its message is conveyed by the cry of those who know the tyranny of injustice, yet will not let go of their hope of deliverance. It is a time when Christians re-tell the salvation stories from their past, re-invigorating their belief in the God's final coming to bring eternal liberation to those who have called upon his Name. Woven into that message is faith in God's judgement; exposing that which is wrong, and calling to account those who perpetrate injustice. These are also the hallmarks of that long fought campaign, so nobly and tenaciously spearheaded by the Hillsborough Families Support Group.
There is a tradition amongst many Christians and churches to remind themselves of these important realities through daily Advent readings. By engaging afresh with the ancient words of our Christian heritage, recorded in the Scriptures, we find strength and hope to keep on believing. We cling to the promises of our faith, even though we live in a world that can be cruel and contradictory. Advent marks the start of the Christian year, and offers the chance to re-centre our lives on God's truth, even when bombarded by contrary messages.
Last year through the offices of the Baptist Times and Industrial Christian Fellowship, I was commissioned to write a series of Advent reflections that connected with the economic crisis that was unfolding at the time. Many people appeared to value an approach that sought to make relevant connections with the prevailing events and concerns.
In that same spirit, this year's reflections are based around the themes and messages that have emerged for me from the Hillsborough tragedy. I offer them to any who are seeking to make sense of faith in the midst of our contemporary world, but particularly to those who have been affected in any way by what happened at Hillsborough. My prayer is that people might find within them hope, encouragement and consolation, even in the face of such overwhelming tragedy and injustice.
Phil Jump
Liverpool 2012
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