Wednesday, December 25, 2019

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning the Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. During World War I, in the winter of 1914, on the battlefields of Flanders, one of the most unusual events in history took place. The Germans set trees on trench parapets and lit the candles. Then, they began singing carols, and though their language was unfamiliar to their enemies, the tunes were not. After a few trees were shot at, the British became more curious than belligerent and crawled forward to watch and listen. And after a while, they began to sing. By Christmas morning, the "no man's land" between the trenches was filled with fraternizing soldiers, sharing rations and gifts, singing and (more solemnly) burying their dead between the lines. Soon they were even playing soccer, mostly with improvised balls. Though the war had to continue, as commanders on both sides ordered their troops to restart hostilities, this interval of peace during the war was extraordinary and unprecedented. This is the season of peace. And the Prince of Peace has commanded us to be peacemakers. May we become known for initiating peace—in our homes, in our families, in our workplaces, and in every situation.