Armistice Day

During World War I, in the winter of 1914, on the battlefields of Flanders, one of the most unusual events in all of human history took place on Christmas Eve. The Germans had been in a fierce battle with the British and French. Both sides were dug in, in muddy, man-made trenches six to eight feet deep that seemed to stretch forever. It was freezing cold, miserable and horrific.

As night fell, the British soldiers noticed the Germans putting up small Christmas trees along the top of their trenches and lighting candles to go with them. Then, the Germans began singing carols, and though their language was unfamiliar, the tunes were not. Across the way, in the "no man's land" between them, the British and French troops began singing back. Incredibly, many of the Germans, who had worked in England before the war, were able to speak good enough English to propose a "Christmas" truce.

The British and French troops, all along the miles of trenches, accepted. The Germans put up signboards up and down the trenches in a variety of shapes. They were usually in English, or - from the Germans - in fractured English 'YOU NO FIGHT, WE NO FIGHT' was the most frequently employed German message. Some British units improvised 'MERRY CHRISTMAS' banners and waited for a response. More placards on both sides popped up.

Then amazingly the soldiers left their trenches, meeting in the middle to shake hands. The first order of business was to bury the dead who had been previously unreachable because of the conflict. Then, they exchanged gifts. Chocolate cake, cognac, postcards, newspapers, tobacco. In a few places, along the trenches, soldiers exchanged rifles for soccer balls and began to play games. According to the official war diary of the 133rd Saxon Regiment, “Tommy and Fritz” kicked about a real football supplied by a Scot. “This developed into a regulation football match with caps casually laid out as goals. The frozen ground was no great matter […] The match ended 3-2 to the Germans.”

Peace didn’t last very long however. In fact, some of the generals didn't like it at all and commanded their troops to resume shooting at each other. After all, they were in a war. Soldiers eventually did resume shooting at each other. But only after, in a number of cases, a few days of wasting rounds of ammunition shooting at stars in the sky instead of soldiers in the opposing army across the field.

For a few precious moments there was peace on earth good will toward men. All because the focus was on Christmas because there's something about Christmas, there is something about Jesus, that changes people.

4 years later, the war was over. And on this day in 1918 – November 11^th at 11am a peace treaty was signed. World War 1 – what people at the time called “the war to end all wars” was finished. Huge celebrations all over the world! In a few hours from now at 11pm tonight which is 11am in Europe, Armistice Day will be celebrated with a 2 minute silence to remember the end of World War 1.

But as we all know now, just 21 years later – World War 2! And we also know that mankind continues to fight wars all over the world to this day and will in to the future. Because mankind in all history has not found peace through a treaty or any other man-made way. The Bible tells us there is a serious problem we all have which is the reason we cannot find peace and that is our sin.

The Bible tells us the Good News that mankind can find peace with God through Jesus. Jesus died on the Cross so that you could have forgiveness and peace from God. God promises that if we only believe this simple message, then our sins will be forgiven and forgotten by God. Do you believe this? If you truly believe this, then you will receive peace from God. And Jesus promises that this peace is not fragile like the peace the world gives. Why not sign a peace treaty with God today by asking Him to forgive your sins and thanking Him that Jesus died on the Cross so you could have peace. November the 11^th 2009 could be your Armistice Day with God. His Peace lasts forever!