Can we welcome one another in Christ Jesus? What do you think?
Frost settled heavy along the Western Front. It was Christmas Eve, 1914. Triggered nearly five months before by the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand, the Great War was five months old. Most had thought the war would be a quick and relatively painless affair. But in just a few short months, more than a million were dead. And the end was not in sight.
Near the French village of La Chapelle d'Armentieres, the Second Queens Regiment heard an unusual commotion in the German trenches.
Carefully Private Albert Moren peered across No Man's Land. What he saw puzzled him. It looked like trees, Christmas trees, lining the edge of the trenches. Candlelight twinkled on the branches. And from behind enemy lines, German voices rose,
Up and down the Western Front, hearts of opposing soldiers rose together. Back and forth they sang carols that crossed enemy lines. "O Come All Ye Faithful" mingled with "Adeste Fidelis"
Captain Josef Sewald of Germany's 17th Bavarian Regiment shouted out calling for a Christmas truce. At first there was silence. But then the British shouted, "No shooting." Two soldiers emerged from their respective side and met in the middle and shook hands.
Goodwill spread down the front. Clusters of German, British, and Scottish soldiers met in small clusters exchanging plum pudding, cigarettes, and kicking around soccer balls.
As the morning dawned, the wonder of this Christmas Day continued. Germans and Brits helped one another bury their dead who had, by necessity, been left frozen in No Man's Land. Enemy soldiers came together for an impromptu service. Heads were bared and psalms were read in English and in German.
Enemy soldiers declaring a truce for the sake of goodwill. And yet, we, who supposedly are citizens of heaven, daughters and sons of the King, members of a royal priesthood struggle to shake hands.
The believers in Philippi had their differences. Battered by legalists and wearied by arguing women, Lydia and her brothers and sisters had reason to divide. Yet they came together over a gift.
Together they pooled together their finances to support their brother, their friend, their spiritual father. They gave sacrificially and joined hands and hearts. They called a truce for the sake of goodwill, for the sake of a greater cause.
Can we do the same?
Paul understood that
- putting aside differences and choosing humility,
- suffering for the sake of Christ,
- holding fast to the word of life,
- rejecting religious legalism and choosing love,
- counting all things loss to know Jesus,
- forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
- agreeing in the Lord when you hold opposing views
is hard.
He understood that divisions, and factions, and arguing are part of the sad human condition, even for those in the household of faith. And yet, As Paul closes out his letter, he encourages them and us …
Welcome one another in Christ Jesus.
You and I, we may disagree over some pretty significant things. But, if we are in Christ Jesus, we can welcome one another. We can come together over the silent night, and behold Jesus, and adore him together. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.
Welcome one another in Christ Jesus.
The ones who are with us, in our very own household. The ones who hold our views, who are easy to be with. The ones who speak our language, worship our way, live our way. The brothers who are with me greet you.
Welcome one another in Christ Jesus.
The ones in enemy camp, Caesar's household. The ones who have different experiences, different expressions. Whose choices challenge our understanding of the Kingdom. All the saints greet you, especially those in Caesar's household.
Welcome one another in Christ Jesus.
The Christmas Truce ended at 8:30 on the morning of December 26, 1914. Capt. Charles Stockwell of the Second Royal Welch Fusiliers fired three shots and put up a flag. "Merry Christmas" it said. The German captain lifted a sheet saying, "Thank you" and appeared on the parapet. Both captains bowed and saluted. The German captain descended back into the trench, fired two shots. And the war was on, once again.
For us, we can stop the war. We can recognize that even with our diverse opinions and strong convictions, we can join hands and hearts for a greater cause. We can agree to disagree, and choose love. We can welcome one another in Christ Jesus.
Let's get a bit personal. Is there someone in your life who you have refused to welcome? Is today the day to pickup the phone can call your own Christmas truce? Is there someone that you need to welcome today?
I'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you think it's possible to agree to disagree and choose love? To welcome one another in Christ Jesus? Or am I just being naive? What do you think?
Tomorrow is the last day of Riverside. We have been gathering here since late August journeying slowly through the book of Philippians. If you've been here all the way through, or are just joining us today, I'd love your feedback. Please leave a comment, or email me at cynthiafin@gmail.com.
On Sunday, I will begin Promise. I'll be posting every day with the singular goal of preparing you and me to welcome the promised Christ child. Join me?