On earth peace, goodwill toward men! - Luke 2:14
According to tradition, a Christmas song once brought peace to a battlefield. It happened
on Christmas Eve during the Franco-German War (1870-1871) as the two sides faced each
other in their trenches.
A French soldier jumped up and began singing "O Holy Night." The surprised
German soldiers did not fire. Instead, one of them stepped forward to sing "From
Heaven Above To Earth I Come."
For a brief time at least, peace on earth prevailed and goodwill was shared among men
whose job it was to kill each other.
Think about the words of "O Holy Night" and see how they can bring hostilities
to a halt. "Long lay the world in sin and error pining." Who knows about the
world's ills better than soldiers who are facing the consequences of war, killing, and
death?
"A thrill of hope" is what those men needed in the darkness of that winter
night. Hope is what "the dear Savior's birth" provides. Because of Him the
"weary world rejoices."
Even though we may not be engaged in physical combat, we all face the battles of everyday
life. We can let the peace of that holy night - the night of our dear Savior's birth -
reign in our hearts the whole year through.
-JDB
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
-Dwight
God gave us His Son to give us His peace.