My Favorite Christmas Movie

Have you noticed that most Christmas movies have little to do with Christ. My favorite Christmas flick is Joyeux Noel. It’s the true story of the truce that took place on Christmas Eve, 1914 in Europe, during the First World War.

The French, Germans and Scots unofficially laid down their weapons in honor of Christ’s birth. The soldiers crossed trenches to exchange seasonal greetings and talk. Some sang Christmas carols and played football together. For a small window of time, they were not enemies, but saw each other as fellow humans caught in the middle of a violent war.

As I write this, Hamas and Israel are engaged in a horrific, bloody battle that has taken the lives of thousands. Russia and Ukraine are engaged in a brutal war. Here in America, politicians and the media constantly stir up race wars. These are dark days. Our world is so angry and divided right now. Is there a cure?

The 1914 Christmas Eve truce reminds us of the power of Christ’s love to unite adversaries. He came to demolish the walls of hostility that separate us. He accomplished it through his death on the cross. His plan was to create in Himself one new race of people, reconciled by the forgiveness found through His blood.

Yes, there is a remedy that could end war and racism for all time. Unfortunately, no earthly government can administer the cure. Only when Christ returns to reign on earth will we have global peace. In the meantime, we see glimpses of His love and peace break in to this sin-sick world. Like it did on a lonely battlefield in Europe on Christmas Eve, 1914.

So, joy to the world the Lord has come. And He is coming again! When He does, the evil we are witnessing now will come to an end. Until then…

Merry Christmas! Joyeux Noel!

“The wrong shall fail. The right prevail with peace on earth, good will to men.” Longfellow