This Christmas Eve marks the 100th anniversary of
the 1914 “Christmas Truce” between Allied and German forces. World War I was only on its fifth month by that
December, yet troops were already growing weary of trench warfare life. On Christmas Eve, soldiers on both sides ceased
firing at one another. The previously incessant
pounding of artillery had fallen silent. Troops on both sides began singing carols, one
of which was reportedly “Silent Night.”
The soldiers then greeted each other and exchanged spontaneous gifts and
souvenirs.
The following is from a letter written by Henry Williamson, a
19 year old British soldier, on December 26, 1914.
Dear Mother,
I am writing from the trenches. It is 11 o'clock in
the morning. Beside me is a coke fire,
opposite me a 'dug-out' (wet) with straw in it. The ground is sloppy in the actual trench, but
frozen elsewhere. In my mouth is a pipe presented by the Princess Mary. In the pipe is tobacco. Of course, you say. But wait. In the pipe is German tobacco. Haha, you say, from a prisoner or found in a
captured trench. Oh dear, no! From a German soldier. Yes a live German soldier from his own trench.
Yesterday the British & Germans met & shook hands in the Ground between
the trenches, & exchanged souvenirs, & shook hands. Yes, all day Xmas
day, & as I write. Marvellous, isn't it? Yes.
The following day witnessed soccer matches in some sectors
of the front. The war would continue on
for another four years, however, and progressively grew worse in its
barbarity. No further “Christmas Truces”
were witnessed, at least not the likes of which had been seen in 1914.
When we sing “Silent Night” this Christmas, think about the
silent field of battle on December 24, 1914.
Let that image then remind us that Jesus Christ has also silenced the
wrath of God against His people. Think
about the temporary, cautious reconciliation between British and German soldier. Then think about the eternal, bold reconciliation
between those that are in Christ and the Father. For those that have faith in Jesus Christ, the
cease of hostilities between them and the Father endures forever, and that promise
has been guaranteed by Christ’s resurrection.
Marvelous, isn’t it?
Yes, indeed.
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