Christmas 1914

Christmas 1914

Picture above (from wikipedia) of a cross, left near Ypres in Belgium in 1999,

to commemorate the site of the Christmas Truce in 1914.

The text reads "1914, The Khaki Chum's Christmas Truce, 1999, 85 Years, Lest We Forget".

World War I the Germans and the British

were fighting each other for freedom.

Soldiers on both sides believed God

would give them victory and freedom.

On Christmas 1914,

both sides experienced victory and freedom…

As they climbed out of their trenches,

to celebrate the birth of Jesus together. 

 

 1914 the world is at war;

the sound of rifles firing and shells exploding.

It was the battle of World War I.

In a number of places on the Western Front,

the sounds of war fade.

It is Christmas Eve and a peaceful sound

is heard across the enemy lines.

It is the sound of Christmas Carols…

most notably Stille Nacht (Silent Night).

At a certain point,

 Allied soldiers hear brass bands

joining the Germans in their joyous singing.

At the first light of dawn on Christmas Day,

some German soldiers emerged from their trenches

and approach the Allied lines, across no-man’s-land,

calling out “Merry Christmas”

in their enemies’ native tongue.

 At first it was thought to be a trick,

 but then as more Germans come out of their trenches unarmed,

 the Allied soldiers climbed out of their trenches

and shook hands with their enemy.

The men exchanged presents

of cigarettes and plum pudding

and sang Carols.

The Angels that spoke to the Shepherds

at the time of Jesus’ birth said…

“On earth peace among men

with whom He is well pleased.”

The Amplified Bible

helps us get a better picture

of the men, or people,

who will have peace,

“men of goodwill”.

These are the people

that receive God’s “favor”.

Where there are people of “good will”

there is peace and

the blessing and favor of God.

The Greek word in Luke 2:14

for “good will” means,

satisfaction, delight, kindness, wish, purpose.

The more these words characterize our lives,

the more peace on earth we will have.

Maybe it is time

for you to call a truce

and spread some “good will”.

I am sure God will look favorably on you.

Scripture Reading

Luke 2:13-14 AMP

13 Then suddenly there appeared

with the angel

an army of the troops of heaven

( a heavenly knighthood),

praising God and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest [heaven],

and on earth peace among men

with whom He is well pleased

[men of goodwill, of His favor].