CHRISTMAS IN THE TRENCHES

Some years ago I read a book that described a Christmas Day event during World War 1 (1914) . The depth of meaning of this has lived with me ever since. I googled it and found a few articles about it:--"The Christmas truce in the trenches 1914”

German and French soldiers were on opposing  sides, both in trenches facing each other, each with the aim to destroy  who they regarded as ‘the enemy’.

Christmas day dawned and the guns were silent… slowly, from both sides of the ‘enemy’ lines men began to appear. They approached each other, unarmed, tentative…. Then the miracle happened; smiles, greetings – no animosity, anger or threat. Just joyful greetings, at first tentatively, I guess, then filled with the joy of this sacred day.

It reminded me of the Christmas Carol -

 “Hark! The herald angels sing glory to the  new-born King, peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled”

For a brief interval there was peace…

I wonder what it felt like to go back in the trenches, to pick up a rifle to shoot at the ‘enemy’ who briefly was a brother with the same Heavenly Father?

Perhaps it is time for us, all of humanity, to get out of the trenches … just listen to the news of all the wars, but also look around you- in nations, in politics, families. We need an armistice not only on Christmas day, but in all of our days. Our survival as nations, families and individuals depend on this. “Peace on earth…”  Our prayer and our aim, each one doing their part in making it happen.

A challenge today…. If you have a grudge, a hurt, a struggle with anyone, resolve that you will do your bit to bring about “peace on earth”  by reaching out in reconciliation – I do not mean you have to embrace them and include them in your life but make peace. Forgive and let go of all the negativity that has darkened your days.  You and I can “do our bit” in bringing peace on earth. And our prayer is that the various nations can do the same. Peace on earth a noble aim.