The Christmas Truce

by Pastor Marty

We are given a vision of the peaceable kingdom from the prophet Isaiah. It is a vision that is hard to believe, to imagine, and yet, it continues to be compelling. We want this kind of world. We yearn for this world. We hope and pray for this kind of world. Are we naive to keep talking about and hoping and praying for peace?

This year marked the 106th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War. The Christmas truce of 1914 continues to give the world a glimpse of peace in a horrific time. On Christmas Eve of that year, two great armies faced each other across a front that extended along the French-Belgian border. Troops crouched in trenches with only candles, lanterns, and flashlights to give them light. Between the trenches was “no man’s land” where snipers were given orders to shoot anything that moved in the opposite trench.

As Christmas approached, troops on both sides received packages from home. British troops received cigarettes, a greeting card from King George V, an individual plum pudding, and Cadbury chocolates. A German package included tobacco along with a pipe, sausages and beer. The German government also sent bundles of Christmas trees to the front. On December 24 the shooting began to slow down and then stopped altogether. No orders were given. They simply stopped shooting at one another. In the early evening, Christmas trees with lighted candles could be seen along the German trench. In one spot, a German voice called out: “A gift is coming now.” What came across was a boot filled with sausages. The British troops responded by sending a plum pudding and a greeting card from the king. Patriotic and military songs could be heard from each side. Then, breaking the eerie silence, the Germans sang, and the British joined in on “Silent Night, Holy Night.” On Christmas Day, they ventured out to extend greetings, awkward handshakes, and small gifts.

The Christmas truce of 1914 continues to be remembered because it offers up a glimpse of a peaceable kingdom. It offers up a vision of the possible! It offers up a vision that peace is as realistic as conflict. There, there along the French-Belgium border, something miraculous took place. Singing. They exchanged their weapons of war for lyrics of “Silent Night.” They did this because it was Christmas ~ the birth of Jesus. The prophet Isaiah says it a bit different ~ a child shall lead them!

-- Pastor Marty