Christmas Day

CHRISTMAS DAY SERMON

December 25, 2015

“THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE”

A miracle took place in the midst of a great horror 101 years ago today. The event was unprecedented in the history of the world, and it is unlikely to ever happen again. But with God all things are possible.

            As men were often heard to say to their wives and sweethearts when marching off to war, “I’ll be home by Christmas,” the promise was always broken. “Home by Christmas” was the catchphrase of every war it seemed. They were never home by Christmas.

            The guns of August, 1914, crashed on for the next five months taking the lives of nearly one million men. What many thought would be “great fun” suddenly turned into a bewildering, disillusioning, killing nightmare.

            That Christmas, when the darkness of war seemed to envelop the whole world, a miracle broke into the trenches beginning at Ypres. Watch what happened:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWF2JBb1bvM

            Historians everywhere called this “the Christmas Truce.” A truce is only a temporary peace, but this moment in history demonstrates the power of Christ to unhinge what we call normal.

            In the darkness of the battlefield on December 24^th, German soldiers began singing Christmas carols. In the middle of hell on earth, embattled hearts were reminded that there is hope. Encouraged by the enemy’s festive spirit, the British began singing too. German troops put up Christmas trees with candles on them. Before they knew it, they were exchanging gifts, playing football, and wishing each other a Merry Christmas. Only Christ can do this among people who are supposed to be enemies.

            I believe this event is but a foretaste, a snapshot, a thumbnail of the peace that broke into our world when Jesus was born. It may never happen again on a battlefield but there is reason to believe that when we allow Christ to rule our hearts, peace breaks in. And when Jesus comes as King of kings, His peace will reign for all time. This is our hope.

1. Hope dawns on a dark situation

Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year.” Or it’s advertised that way. You may not want to hear this, however: Christmas can really be a hard time for some people. Christmas can be the loneliest time of the year. Consider those who have lost loved ones and miss their presence at the holiday table. Consider the widows and widowers who must endure another “family” event without their partner. Consider those who are single and would like to have a spouse and a family. Consider those who cannot afford a “happy Christmas” and yet are bombarded by the retail industry to buy more stuff. Consider the seniors in the PCHs who wait for their families to visit and get a precious half-hour with them. When we consider Christmas from this perspective, those who enjoy a Merry Christmas really are a minority. The Christmas season can be a time of gloom.

            The prophet Isaiah painted a picture of his own time. He saw the gloom and depression that Israel faced as their enemies invaded the land and their hopes and dreams being crushed. Assyrian conquerors were being used by God to punish Israel’s unfaithfulness. They had sinned and forgotten God. Their gloom was somewhat self-inflicted.

            Some remained faithful to God, and to them Isaiah prophesied that into their darkness a light would shine. God had humbled the land of Zebulun and Naphtali – these are lands in the northern parts of Israel. But one day, in the future, God would honor those same lands, what Isaiah called the Galilee of the Gentiles. Same land, different name.

            Into the gloom a light will shine. Light is not merely a physical phenomenon. There is something about light that spiritually and emotionally lifts our spirits.

            It is probably no coincidence that Christmas follows the darkest day of the year. December 21^st has the shortest amount of daylight. For those who suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), depression, moodiness, or gloom that comes from the dark winter months, the promise of increased sunlight is welcome.

            Isaiah promised that Israel would see the light. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the shadow of death a light has dawned” (2). Hope, like a tiny point of light in the distance, was given. Darkness cannot stop the light from spreading. Those who have endured the hiding of God’s face will see this light. Those who have not cursed in the darkness but have waited with expectancy will laugh again.

            Their joy, like the light, will grow large. Joy will increase (3). They will know joy like farmers at harvest. How great the feeling of a finished season of work, the joy of accomplishment, the joy of being done.

            Isaiah further paints this joy as comparable to dividing the plunder after a battle. Warriors were allowed to go through their enemies belongings and take little treasures: a shield, a knife, a bag of coins. A better analogy for us would be the dividing of plunder on Christmas Eve or morning when the presents are handed out. This joy will be greater.

            What is Isaiah talking about in real terms?

            First, the land that God humbled, the northern lands he called Galilee of the Gentiles, would be honored to have Jesus of Nazareth grow up among them. And when He was of age, Jesus would teach in the region of Galilee and proclaim that the kingdom of God was breaking into their world.

            Second, the kingdom of God is that light. More importantly, Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn 8:12). Jesus is the light. When you have light you know where you are going. You don’t trip. You see the path. You can read the signs. With light you are not lost in the dark. We need light to live. Jesus is the light.

            No wonder then that the people would increase their joy. They were living in sin and sinful circumstances. People had ignored God and stumbled into darkness. With Jesus people can see and when they see…what a joy.

2. The reason for this hope

Isaiah described this hope in the first three verses; now he explains the reason for this hope.

            What happened? Human nature is such that we fail to understand what we have until we lose it. Israel had a relationship with Yahweh but failed to grasp what it meant to honor that relationship. God had to show them the disaster of sinful living in order to drive home God’s love for them.

            With sin comes bondage. We become slaves to sin. Sometimes we become slaves to others, literally and figuratively. We fall into the trap of caring what society thinks. We care too much about what our friends want from us. Or literally, we become slaves to our jobs, our lifestyles, our pleasures or addictions.

            Isaiah proclaims that God has shattered the yoke that burdens the people and removed the bar across their shoulders. The image is release from slavery. He is proclaiming Jubilee: “He (God) has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release for the prisoners” (61:1b). Like prisoners of war the people are set free to return home and learn to live again.

            The war is over! When that day comes there will be an end to struggle and fighting. That’s what Isaiah means with this imagery “Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire” (5). Military hardware will be burned because there is no use for it anymore. Other weapons will be turned into farm tools, as Isaiah earlier foretold, “They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore” (2:4).

            But why? How can Isaiah promise such an ideal future? What is the reason for this peace?
            A most amazing reason is given. “For to us a child is born…” Not a full-grown adult – a child is born. Isaiah does not focus on what the child will do when he is an adult but on the mere fact of his birth. His birth will have such an impact that the world will be transformed by his first breath. This child will not bring peace; this child IS peace.

            “…and the government will be on his shoulders” (6). Previously the burden was on the shoulders of the people (4), but now they are released from their burdens when he shoulders the burden of ruling. Your burdens fall on Jesus’ shoulders; your problems are His problems. He is not a King who adds to your burdens; He is a King who lightens your burden. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”, Jesus says (Mt. 11:29-30).

            This child will be a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

            All this in a child?

            What child is this?

            This is the same child whose birthday caused 100,000 soldiers, British and German, to put down their guns and celebrate the hope of Christmas. A greater hope than what their leaders promised them in battle glory. But that was a long time ago. That was then, what about now?

            This is the same child whom the politically correct dare not speak His name, yet also dare not dismiss His holiday. And if those proponents of the Christmas season who set up their trees on November 1^st get their way, Christmas will rule the whole of the fall season. This child does that.

            And what breaks the cloud of gloom that shrouds the heart? I know that on some personally cloudy days, nothing breaks in on my cold heart like the smile of Ezekiel Toews. My heart warms to see his happy face. How much more the face of the Christ-child who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorned its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. We were His joy.

Christmas is dangerous. The birth of Jesus upsets the status quo.

            You see, when the Christmas Truce was called in 1914, generals on both sides grew alarmed. As Germans, Brits, Canucks, Belgians, and Frenchman reached across no-man’s land to share Christmas, they stopped fighting. And as they celebrated the birth of Christ together, they found out that they were brothers.

            How do you then kill a man you shared “Jesus” with? From then on, the Generals forbade their men to “cross the line” and fraternize with the enemy. If you like the enemy you are less inclined to kill him.

            Let’s call a Christmas truce today. Put aside your grievances with those who have offended you, the in-laws who annoy you, the family members who take advantage of you, and celebrate our common Savior. Let there be peace in your hearts and in your homes. Leave the burden of your hurt with Jesus who died for that hurt. Rest in His rule of the situation.

            Now as you go forward, live out that temporary truce every day, until the Lord comes and establishes a permanent peace. That peace is coming; let’s practice living that peace in our hearts and with those in the opposite trench.

                                                                        AMEN