Find Perfect Peace in the Hassle and Bustle of Christmas
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In Summary: Has your holiday season become so full of pressure that you wonder if peace is even possible? What conflict are you dealing with this Christmas? Is there family drama, a financial struggle, or a health concern? No matter the specific circumstance, Christ has promised His peace to you. Peace is always available for those of us who love Him. Our holidays do not have to be marked by stress and conflict. We can quit holding on to old grudges. We can let go of envy, worry, and fear. Let’s take Christmas back. This year, let’s choose peace. This year, we need peace.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” (Luke 2:14).
Nashville, Tennessee--Let’s face it: Christmas can be a stressful time. We get caught up in trying to create the perfect holiday for our families. We worry about family members not getting along or the mashed potatoes being too lumpy. Before we know it, we find ourselves longing for a little of the peace we hear about in Christmas carols. Can you relate? Has your holiday season become so full of pressure that you wonder if peace is even possible?
While the Bible warns us that in this world we will have trouble, it encourages us to be cheerful because Jesus overcame the world and in him, there is peace (John 16:33). Yet, this year in particular, has been harder than most and has been filled with too much conflict and struggle. That notwithstanding, we draw inspiration from the trenches of World War 1 when fierce battles raged as Christmas rolled around in 1914. Though Pope Benedict XV suggested a temporary ceasefire in honor of the holiday, the warring countries refused to make it official. Peace did not seem to be anywhere in sight.
When the holiday arrived, the soldiers themselves chose to lay down their weapons in honor of Christmas. It was the first reprieve in months; the sound of gunfire was replaced with the sound of singing. Enemies were reported to have exchanged gifts and played games. Though the war was far from over, the Christmas truce of 1914 brought a little peace in the midst of conflict.
What conflict are you dealing with this Christmas? Is there family drama, a financial struggle, or a health concern? No matter the specific circumstance, Christ has promised His peace to you. Peace is always available for those of us who love Him. Our holidays do not have to be marked by stress and conflict. We can quit holding on to hold grudges. We can let go of envy, worry, and fear. Let’s take Christmas back. This year, let’s choose peace. This year, we need peace. Don’t you feel that way?
According to Stanley Weintraub, who wrote about the temporary truce during World War 1 in his book, Silent Night, during World War 1, in the winter of 1914, on the battlefields of Flanders, one of the most unusual events in all of human history took place. The Germans had been in a fierce battle with the British and French. Both sides were dug in, safe in muddy, man-made trenches six to eight feet deep that seemed to stretch forever. All of a sudden, German troops began to put small Christmas trees, lit with candles, outside of their trenches. Then, they began to sing songs.
Across the way, in the "no man's land" between them, came songs from the British and French troops. Incredibly, many of the Germans, who had worked in England before the war, were able to speak good enough English to propose a “Christmas" truce. The British and French troops, all along the miles of trenches, accepted. In a few places, allied troops fired at the Germans as they climbed out of their trenches. But the Germans were persistent and Christmas would be celebrated even under the threat of impending death.
In his book, Silent Night, Stanley Weintraub further states that "signboards arose up and down the trenches in a variety of shapes. They were usually in English, or - from the Germans - in fractured English. Rightly, the Germans assumed that the other side could not read traditional gothic lettering and that few English understood spoken German. ‘YOU NO FIGHT, WE NO FIGHT' was the most frequently employed German message. Some British units improvised 'MERRY CHRISTMAS' banners and waited for a response. More placards on both sides popped up."
A spontaneous truce resulted. Soldiers left their trenches, meeting in the middle to shake hands. The first order of business was to bury the dead who had been previously unreachable because of the conflict. Then, they exchanged gifts. Chocolate cake, cognac, postcards, newspapers, tobacco. In a few places, along the trenches, soldiers exchanged rifles for soccer balls and began to play games. It didn't last forever.
In fact, some of the generals didn't like it at all and commanded their troops to resume shooting at each other. After all, they were in a war. Soldiers eventually did resume shooting at each other. But only after, in a number of cases, a few days of wasting rounds of ammunition shooting at stars in the sky instead of soldiers in the opposing army across the field.
“He will judge between the nations, and will render decisions for many peoples. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war (Isaiah 2:4). For a few precious moments, there was peace on earth; good will toward men. All because the focus was on Christmas. It happens every time. There's something about Christmas that changes people. It happened over 2000 years ago in a little town called Bethlehem. It's been happening over and over again down through the years of time. Peace is ours through Jesus. Let’s grab onto it and hold it tight this Christmas. We all know that Christmas is a time to celebrate Christ the King born to us, to enjoy our family and friends, and to indulge in those annual traditions we look forward to every year. But even though we may understand the true reason for the season, far too few of us know how to celebrate Christmas as the time of peace that it is meant to be.
This year, let us find a way to unplug and spend some time reconnecting with a childlike sense of wonder and joy at the mystery and blessings of Christmas. Let us settle in and enjoy peaceful and hope-inspired Devotions for Christmas; a Heavenly Peace.
Father God, remind us what Christmas is about, and to stay focused on you and Your Son, Jesus. Let us share the joy of that knowledge with everyone we know so the joy of the season is not lost to anyone. Amen.
Source: Excerpts from Devotions for Christmas, copyright Zondervan, HarperCollins Christian Publishing and FUMC-2014-Advent-Devotional-Booklet.