Christmas Time in the Trenches
It was the end of 1914 and life on the Western front in
France was the monotonous trench warfare between the Germans trying to overrun
France and the British/French forces trying to defend the sovereignty of
France. Mud was the order of the day on
a cold nasty sometimes rainy wearisome day of December 24th along a
27 mile line of trenches with both sides dug in for the winter. On that Christmas Eve, nobody
had a heart for fighting as both sides no doubt prayed to the same Christian
God for a swift victory and end to this war, a war that was in its first five
months of a four year fight.
As soldiers of both sides fought to stay warm in mud
sometimes up to their knees, friendly voices from both trenches begin to call Christmas
greetings to the other. Christmas carols came next, and finally at points along
the 27 mile trench, a request not to fire comes. With great courage, men from both sides
slither out of their trench and begin the dangerous walk toward each other,
each sympathizing with the other. It was
not a short trip yet still a trip of less than 100 feet for both sides. A trip fraught with
danger and suspicions, yet a cautious trip in Joy.
And, then it was morning, Christmas 1914, there were many rumors of the night before, suddenly, along the trench line a
German soldier held up a sign to the British, “Merry Christmas”. As if a
signal from higher authority, out of the rain, the clouds began to open. In response, the British found the resources
to make their own “Merry Christmas” sign and returned the greetings of the
moment. Soon, more signs go up, “No fire”
and with that, with great courage, again figures slowly come out of the trenches
every so cautiously seeking the “enemy”.
Slowly, more and more muddy, unshaven, dirty soldiers approach the
other, each side bearing gifts.
There are many stories of this event along the 27 mile
trench line that first Christmas of World War I, each story with special meaning to those involved. Each side was sure of victory in the coming
year over the other. But, for about 30+ hours in that Christmas time of 1914, peace came to these warriors; in
disobeying the orders of their immediate superiors they experienced a peace that
only our Savior Christ can deliver us.
In another vein of thought, imagine your trip in great expectations and imagine
you finally arriving at your destination after an 800+ miles on the back of
a camel in seeking the newborn “King of the Jews”. In Matthew 2: 10 it says, “When they saw that
the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.” These Arab
Magi of the East, wealthy men of power, revered priests, and great people of
influence in their own country are so filled in their fullness and overwhelming
joy, they fall down, worshiping our baby Jesus. In the coming year, may we too Seek the overwhelming Joy of the the Salvation of Jesus. In our Seeking, may we too be filled with Joy and Great Expectations in our worship of our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
To find more about "Christmas Time in the Trenches" google "Christmas Time in the Trenches".
To find more about the power of Seeking the Christ, read the Gospels.
Merry Christmas
© lonnie coggins
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© Lonnie Coggins
ldcoggins@gmail.com
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At the end of 1914 in Europe a bloody war was on in France, it was Christmas, a time of celebrating Christ for all sides in World War I. In a small place where the fighting was hard, something wonderful happened. In conflict with orders 'enemies' for two nights, became friends through their love of Christ and the desire for peace. Click the link for the story and share on your fb page as you are lead to do so.
http://lonnieadailythought.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-time-in-trenches.html
lonnie
Publication 0082
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