Peace on the Battlefield

Another powerful Christmas story I love to tell is a historical account from World War I. This one is known as the “Christmas Truce.”

On Christmas Eve in 1914, in the damp, muddy trenches, something truly remarkable happened. Around 10 p.m., British troops heard a sound—the German soldiers were singing carols. In the darkness, the British soldiers began to sing back. Then, a German called out in English, “Come over here!” One of the British sergeants responded, “No, you come halfway. I come halfway.” And despite being mortal enemies—and afraid—they did.

They emerged from the squalor of the trenches, and for a few precious hours, they were reconciled. There was peace on the battlefield.

Kurt Zehmisch, a German lieutenant, later wrote, "How marvelously wonderful, yet how strange it was... Christmas, the celebration of love, managed to bring mortal enemies together as friends for a time.” The men shared mementos from home, traded songs, and even played a game of soccer. Even in a time of hatred and conflict, reconciliation and peace are possible.

The Bible says this:

“And he came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:17, NIV)

This account isn't just a fascinating historical anecdote; it’s a living testament to the truth that peace can break through any darkness.

In our own lives, we have our own battlefields—conflicts with family, friends, or even within ourselves. The Christmas Truce reminds us that the Christmas message of love and reconciliation is powerful enough to overcome our greatest divisions. It challenges us to take the first step and go halfway. We are called to be peacemakers in a world that desperately needs to see reconciliation.