On Christmas Eve in 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War, an intense battle was taking place between French and German soldiers. Suddenly, a French soldier jumped from the trenches, exposing himself to the enemy’s fire.
Before either side could figure out what to do, he began singing Cantique de Noel—O Holy Night in English. Each side stood frozen as he sang of the birth of the Messiah. As the last chords of his solo faded into the night, a German soldier emerged from his hideout and began to sing From Heaven Above to Earth I Come, a popular Christmas carol in Germany. Both sides apparently joined together to sing an Austrian carol, and fighting ceased for the following 24 hours.
No one is really sure if this event actually happened, but there is enough evidence to piece together a story and believe something like this did once occur. Those soldiers obviously had some differences between them, and yet they were able to lay those differences aside for one night in order to celebrate something they had in common: Christ and His birth.
How often are we more marked by our differences than by our commonalities? How often do we allow petty arguments with a friend or a family member distract us enough so we loose sight of the true significance Christmas represents.
This Christmas season, I challenge you to lay aside your quarrels and qualms and look to Christ. As you sing your favorite Christmas carols this year, choosing to live above about pain some person may have caused you and remember why Christ came to earth. Christmas is about God himself forgot the sinful shame His people had caused and reconciling them to Himself.
Think of the risk the French soldier took when he set down his gun and stood on the top of his barricade and begin singing a song of piece. Not only did he lay down his weapon, but he put at rest his fears and anger to recall to himself, his comrades, and his enemies the true source of peace – Jesus Himself!
Be like that! Take the challenge of that man’s example to overcome your own fears and animosities so you may come close to those who have hurt you and even closer to the God who sent His son to save you!
What a special glance back to the 1870’s! Nice!
Yeah, I can’t imagine being there! Glad you liked the story.
This is literally the only piece on like the whole of the internet and youtube iv been able to find about the franco prussian war having a christmas truce like in 1914 in WW1…. Somehow i doubt the vaidity, i think people are getting these two mixed up…