Boxing D.

Boxing Day ! Le Piéton du roi remercie du fond du cœur messieurs les présidents de la République, du Sénat et de l'Assemblée nationale ainsi que notre Premier ministre pour la chaleur des vœux de bonheur qu'ils ont adressé à la nation à l'occasion de la Fête de Noël. Comme dans d'autres Etats européens, il eut suffit de ceux du Chef de notre Etat pour satisfaire aux canons de l'élégance morale et intellectuelle, mais trop fort n'a jamais manqué. Merci. Nous souhaitons qu'un soupçon de réciprocité illumine aussi les fêtes musulmanes, juives et bouddhistes. On me dit dans l'oreillette que ça se fait déjà pour la rupture de jeune du Ramadan et aussi au dîner annuel du Conseil représentatif des institutions juives de France ; seul Matthieu Ricard n'a pas reçu sa carte pour l'anniversaire du 14° dalaï-lama. J'ignorais. Dont acte !

Chacun aura compris que les petits messieurs, arrivés où ils sont par la vertu d'une médiocrité habile - des chiqueurs ! aurait dit Boutang - n'ont pas les burnes pour souhaiter un Joyeux Noël aux Français. Puisque le Bedeau de Dreux n'a rien dit non plus et son cousin espagnol si peu, nous nous contenterons des vœux de la reine d'Angleterre qui était souveraine de France il n'y a pas si longtemps, en foi de quoi d'ailleurs, M. Guy Mollet avait, en 1956 lors de la crise de Suez, demandé à la Couronne britannique de prendre sous son aile la République française agonisante, empêtrée dans une décolonisation coûteuse. Vieille histoire certes, mais qui montrait combien la République branlait déjà dans le manche. Soixante ans plus tard, elle a tout envahi mais est de partout corrodée, endettée à mort, ridicule et semble ne plus tenir debout que par la violence de la répression des mécontents. L'image qui restera de la République de 2019 est l'éventration de la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris !

Ecoutons maintenant Sa Gracieuse Majesté qui parle à nos cœurs du haut de ses 93 ans :

"As a child, I never imagined that one day a man would walk on the moon. Yet this year we marked the 50th anniversary of the famous Apollo 11 mission.

"As those historic pictures were beamed back to Earth, millions of us sat transfixed to our television screens, as we watched Neil Armstrong taking a small step for man and a giant leap for mankind - and, indeed, for womankind. It's a reminder for us all that giant leaps often start with small steps.

"This year we marked another important anniversary: D-Day. On 6th June 1944, some 156,000 British, Canadian and American forces landed in northern France. It was the largest ever seaborne invasion and was delayed due to bad weather.

"I well remember the look of concern on my father's face. He knew the secret D-Day plans but could of course share that burden with no one.

"For the 75th anniversary of that decisive battle, in a true spirit of reconciliation, those who had formally been sworn enemies came together in friendly commemorations either side of the Channel, putting past differences behind them.

"Such reconciliation seldom happens overnight. It takes patience and time to rebuild trust, and progress often comes through small steps.

"Since the end of the Second World War, many charities, groups and organisations have worked to promote peace and unity around the world, bringing together those who have been on opposing sides.

"By being willing to put past differences behind us and move forward together, we honour the freedom and democracy once won for us at so great a cost.

"The challenges many people face today may be different to those once faced by my generation, but I have been struck by how new generations have brought a similar sense of purpose to issues such as protecting our environment and our climate.

"My family and I are also inspired by the men and women of our emergency services and armed forces; and at Christmas, we remember all those on duty at home and abroad, who are helping those in need and keeping us and our families safe and secure.

"Two hundred years on from the birth of my great, great grandmother, Queen Victoria, Prince Philip and I have been delighted to welcome our eighth great-grandchild into our family.

"Of course, at the heart of the Christmas story lies the birth of a child: a seemingly small and insignificant step overlooked by many in Bethlehem.

"But in time, through his teaching and by his example, Jesus Christ would show the world how small steps taken in faith and in hope can overcome long-held differences and deep-seated divisions to bring harmony and understanding.

"Many of us already try to follow in his footsteps. The path, of course, is not always smooth, and may at times this year have felt quite bumpy, but small steps can make a world of difference.

"As Christmas dawned, church congregations around the world joined in singing It Came Upon The Midnight Clear. Like many timeless carols, it speaks not just of the coming of Jesus Christ into a divided world, many years ago, but also of the relevance, even today, of the angel's message of peace and goodwill.

"It's a timely reminder of what positive things can be achieved when people set aside past differences and come together in the spirit of friendship and reconciliation. And, as we all look forward to the start of a new decade, it's worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.

"And so, I wish you all a very happy Christmas".

Et comme le Premier ministre Boris Johnson préfère nous adresser son message de Noël depuis le 10 Downing Street plutôt que de déclamer l'Illiade en grec antique, profitons-en :