One of the more moving Christmas-related stories has to be that of the 1914 Christmas Eve truce on the front lines of Flanders in World War I.
During something of a lull after days of intense fighting, both British and German forces, having incurred extensive casualties, awaited reinforcements. Suddenly, small decorative lights appeared on the German side of the line as voices were heard singing "Stille Nacht" ("Silent Night).
As the singing continued, British soldiers began joining in. Cautiously at first, and then in increasing numbers, men from both sides began approaching the other's trenches. Soon large numbers were mingling together, singing Christmas carols, exchanging greetings, and giving one another small gifts of coffee, tinned foods, souvenirs, cigarettes and the like. Since the next day was Christmas, it was agreed there would be no fighting throughout the day. Soon, similar "outbreaks of peace" were occurring at different points along the line.
It was a deeply stirring experience. And while the temporary cessation of hostilities was tolerated by those in higher command, a state of warfare was reinstated the day following, as those who had shared in friendship, singing and giving were now required to resume killing one another. Although attempts would be made, the war would witness no more such truces for the nearly four years that it continued.
Perhaps the overarching atmosphere of armed hostility itself lends a certain capacity for continuing on after such encounter. I don't know. One can only suspect, however, that at least some of us would have found General Sherman's famously stated "War is hell" an even more compelling reality - particularly at a time in which the coming of the "Prince of Peace" had just been jointly celebrated.
While "see[ing] not yet all things" (Heb. 2:9), a day is nonetheless coming in which the antagonisms, hostilities and other negative realities of human experience shall be subjected to that One whose birth brought, and continues to bring, promise of a coming day of peace.
For such all creation yearns (Rom. 8:19-23).
Burl Ratzsch
