Christmas Memories
December 25, 2023 will leave many Christmas memories. The most precious include family, especially children. For some celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace leaves memories scarred by war most notably in the Ukraine and the Holy Land.
Another war provided an unusual Christmas memory for those who survived WWI. German and British troops were in their cold and wet tenches in West Belgium when on December 24 began what came to be called “The Christmas Truce of 1914.”
Reluctant Meetings
More than 30 miles along the front that was separated in places by only 50 yards both sides began singing Christmas Carols. The first reluctant meetings between the enemies led to sharing food and drink, a makeshift barbershop, an impromptu soccer game, exchanging gifts such as cigarettes and helping one another bury their dead. On the 100 year anniversary a Time magazine article indicated that about 100,000 participated.
Pope Benedict XV had encouraged a Christmas Truce but was rejected by commanders on both sides. Then something unusual in warfare caused many soldiers to write home their Christmas memories. Perhaps it was a desire only God can place in the human psyche that lives in a temporary and fleeting world.
Perhaps…
One of the most violent conflicts in history saw for a few days a human and spiritual perspective on war. Can we take another look at the effects of individuals who listened to an inner voice perhaps stimulated by the Carols of Christ. In our physical and materialistic world Christians were fighting on both sides and killing other Christians.
Should we not defend ourselves? I believe we should but with great care given to what the Creator is about and engaging in a different dialogue. This blog post is not about the issues of politics. It is about seeking God’s wisdom and perspective.
The picture for this blog post is the Christmas Market at Liege, Belgium taken in December 2019. WW1 began at Liege east of the Christmas Truce. 105 years prior people were dying in the area where my friend and I enjoyed a rainy but festive Christmas Market.
The soldiers on both sides sang the wonderful Austrian Hymn…
Silent night holy night
Wondrous star lend thy light
With the angels let us sing
Alleluia to our King
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born
Perhaps…He could save us from ourselves.
