From a pastor-friend:

We recently watched the movie “Joyeux Noel” which tells the now-fabled tale of how peace broke out in the trenches between French, German and British troops in Flanders in 1914. The singing of a Christmas carol became the catalyst for peace breaking out between the enemy troops, and a communion service being held by the British Chaplain in no-mans-land. Such was the impact that the truce lasted for days, soldiers shooting into the air rather than at the ‘enemy’ who now had a face. It took remote command to “restore order” by removing troops and commanders who refused to fight. The British chaplain was sent back home for his “failure to proclaim the gospel”, which amounted to his failure to de-humanise the Germans and “keep up the crusade”. (The movie depicts a moment in no-mans-land where the chaplain picks up a German helmet bearing the inscription “Gott Mitt Uns” – God with us… it is a revelatory moment for him.)

Although there were aspects of the film which were more likely dramatisation than actual history, the singing of carols called the soldiers to a higher place, where they were able to see each other as humans. They were united by a story greater than the war. One wonders what happened to those soldiers removed from the front for their failure to take up the war again. Sadly, the powers that be ensured that the battle would not be let go altogether.

A similar event happened at Gallipoli. A truce was agreed upon in order for the troops to enter no-mans-land and bury their dead. It was exigent, as the rotting corpses were causing illness on both sides. In no-mans-land the troops became people, and the enemy gained a name, and respect.

It is an interesting and deep call: to realise that the enemy has a name, a personality, and dreams. And that they are not all that different. Then we can enter the non-violent place and work together…

A little gift for thought….