I recently watched a very touching movie. It was the 2005 film Joyeux Noel, the story of the informal ceasefire between the French, Scottish and German troops Christmas Eve of 1914. It started when the German troops began putting candles on Christmas trees and setting them outside the trenches. A Scottish soldier began to play the bagpipes (possibly cruel and unusual punishment in itself) and others in the troop began to sing. A beautiful tenor voice from the German side began to sing Stille Nacht. The piper responded and the German tenor joined him singing Adeste Fideles. Soon the soldiers began to tentatively creep out of their trenches and these “enemies” began to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace . . .together.
The weapons of war were left behind and the soldiers brought little gifts of cigars, chocolate, jam and spirits and wine. A Scottish Catholic priest said a mass for the soldiers and together they worshiped with the men they had been trying to kill just hours before. Even as I write this, tears come to my eyes.
The truce continued over a number of days as bodies that littered the battlefield were buried in an impromptu cemetery. A soccer match was arranged. One of the most touching moments came when the German officer told the Scottish and French officers that he had received communication that an artillery barrage was about to begin. He invited the French and Scottish soldiers to come to their trenches for protection from the artillery. When the shelling ended the Scottish officer said the Allied troops would no doubt reply with a barrage of their own and the relative safely of their trenches was offered to the Germans.
As could be expected when the military command heard of this dereliction of duty, they went into high gear to bring an end to it. A Roman Catholic Bishop was quickly dispatched to the Front to bring his recalcitrant priest back into line. He preached a homily encouraging the soldiers to again begin killing the evil Germans who were definitely not like them. He did this in the name of the One who said we are to turn the other cheek when struck upon the right. It seems that wars are old men sending young men out to maim and kill while they remain safe behind the lines.
Shortly after the slaying of the Amish girls in Lancaster County by Charles Roberts I read a very challenging article in an online journal – What If the Amish Were in Charge of the War on Terror. Diana Butler Bass described the actions of the community after the tragedy – forgiveness was offered to the killer’s widow, she was invited to attend the funerals of the slain girls, a delegation was sent to Charles Roberts’ funeral and a request was made that relief monies sent for the Amish families be shared with Marie Roberts and her children.
She went on to ask what would happen if the American government were to make similar gestures to the perpetrators of 9/11. What would happen if we began to see those we have pictured as our chief protagonists in this “war on terror” as human beings, with wives and children, with hopes and dreams, with fears and sorrows? What if?
And isn’t this a crazy thought – didn’t Jesus do just this when He said from the cross “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do?” I can almost hear the protests – we can’t be soft on terror. You fight fire with fire. Bleeding hearts just invite further acts of terror.
We’ve tried the war on terror. We’ve invaded Iraq and Afghanistan. Now let me introduce the Dr. Phil question – “How’s that working for you?” Is the Middle East a safer, more peaceful part of the world? Are our relations with the Muslim world better now than they were before?
Albert Einstein famously said “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Let’s step off the insane merry-go-round and begin to see a human face under the turban. It’s a lot harder to kill people than it is to kill enemies.
Here’s an idea – let’s have a secret meeting where everyone can see us and start a conspiracy of peace.
HI Len: I wish I had written that one, because you make some interesting points which merit reflection. I don’t have a strong point of view either way on this subject, and I have made a case for both sides in the past, including one for Christians carrying a sword, as Jesus commanded His disciples. As we agnonize over the current conflicts in Palestine and Ukraine, as an example, I sense that God must be getting close to fed up, and perhaps this is part of His permissive plan, the prelude to Armageddon. Another thorny subject which eschatologists love to debate. Terry G
Thanks Len – nice job; much food for thought.
If the people in the rooms making the attack decisions were put on the front lines doing the attacking – it would be a different ball game – just like the example in your story who decided to celebrate the Prince of Peace – rather than the prince of kill, steal and destroy.
I agree Len, it is a wonderful sentiment, but not realistic the rulers of this planet will not allow that to happen, let alone Satan. Our Lord and Savior knew what his children would do ,even before he created them, that is why Jesus was born and died on the cross, so that we would not die and be lost in our sin for all eternity. There is no good man, not one. The flesh is prone to evil. It didn’t work for the Hippies or any other group. Jesus is the only way, but as I said we battle the flesh daily and more often than not the flesh wins and those that do not know Jesus will not give up their hate, Satan very much in control
of them and is loath to give them up. Sorry to such a downer but this is the world we currently live in and that is why this world must eventually end. Man commits evil atrocities and they will get worse, the Bible tells us that.