The truce began on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1914, when German troops began decorating the area around their trenches for Christmas. They began by placing candles on trees, and then continued the celebration by singing Christmas carols, most notably Stille Nacht (Silent Night). The British troops in the trenches across from them responded by singing English carols.
The two sides continued by shouting Christmas greetings to each other. Soon thereafter, there were calls for visits across the "No Man's Land" where small gifts were exchanged — whisky, jam, cigars, chocolate, and the like. The soldiers exchanged gifts, sometimes addresses, and drank together. The artillery in the region fell silent that night. The truce also allowed a breathing spell where recently-fallen soldiers could be brought back behind their lines by burial parties. Proper burials took place as soldiers from both sides mourned the dead together and paid their respects.
The truce spread to other areas of the lines, and there are many stories of football matches between the opposing forces. In many sectors, the truce lasted through Christmas night, but in some areas, it continued until New Year's Day.
What spiritual lessons can we learn from this truce?
1) We are humans first
Before we are enemies on a battlefield, we are first humans created in God’s image. German, British or French, all the soldiers were sons of mothers, most came from a Christian heritage and Christmas was special to them. This was the spark that God could use to bring this miracle truce.
As people (and as Christians specifically), we tend to ‘demonize’ those not like us by calling them “heathen” or “infidel” or “sinner’, but all humans were created in God’s image and are loved by God. If we keep the human equation, we can better ‘love our enemy’ as Jesus taught.
2) There is not much difference in us.
Each had a different language, but many of the same Christmas customs. Enemies across the lines, but they all spoke of faith in Christmas (and by extension faith in the newborn Christ)
As Christians, we allow slight differences in custom and theology cause us to break fellowship. If bitter enemies could break bread having only Christmas in common, how about we believers who only differ on version of the bible, methods of baptism or Eschatology?
3) There is truly a Christmas Spirit
Christmas is a special time of the year. Giving, sharing, caroling, a spirit of peace as well as good will is in the Earth. It seems that all churches are busy, songs of faith are everywhere.
I often wonder if we are so caught up in condemning the materialism and greed of the secular side of Christmas that we lose sight of a mysterious truth, which is the spirit of Christmas is in the world in December. Peace, good will to mankind is what the Angels spoke, and to a degree this is what we see. Charity abounds at this time of the year, giving, well wishing and stories of Christ abound. The concern for the homeless and needy is increased. People seem to get along better at Christmas time. Strangers share food and fellowship.
As Christians, we must be the ones who define the spirit of Christmas. We must promote peace on earth and good will to man. If combatants can do it, why not us?
Read more about the truce at the site below.
http://www.historicaleye.com/xmastruce.html
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