One hundred and seven years ago, on December 25th, 1914, the battlefields of Europe fell eerily silent as the sound of deafening explosions and the slaughter of mutilated bodies unexpectedly ceased, as the echo of familiar Christmas carols filled the air and were heard for miles around as the chorus of men began to sing aloud the glad tidings of he day. As difficult as it may be to conceive the once sworn enemies found fellowship, kinship and camaraderie under the most austere conditions. Each side offered to meet halfway on the once contended piece of land, absent the ability to present traditional gifts, they offered food, cigarettes, and other items in heartfelt recognition. This would be the last time in which such a show of benevolence would occur on the battlefield.
For a brief moment time yielded its place to God. It was as if to say through the midst of toil and torment, for your aught and rival bitterness, I am here. I cannot presume to know the number of lives spared that day, but I am confident of two important facts: 1. It presented many with the gift of life, another day to behold the wonders and mysteries of God; and 2. The full measure of God’s power on display as the might of his hand stayed a single round from being fired that day. It was undeniably a Christmas like no other.
