I would like to share another website with you this week. It is an original video completed last year at my son and daughter-in-law's Lutheran School in Phoenix, and is set to the music of Handel's "For Unto Us A Child Is Born." I think you will enjoy watching and hearing it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjuPRDfBmr8&feature=youtu.be
Every student and staff person at Christ Lutheran School is featured in this video holding up words from the song as they are sung. Not only is it done well, the message of the song is encouraging to us all during the year.
No matter how uncertain or fearful life may be for us, Christmas provides a respite as it focuses our attention away from ourselves to the birth of the Christ child who became the Savior of the world.
I always enjoy remembering the "Christmas Truce" that occurred during World War One in 1914. It began during a momentary quiet period on Christmas Eve when some German soldiers sang Christmas carols and held up candles from their trenches. Although distrustful of the "barbarian" Germans, British soldiers joined in, a few even approaching enemy soldiers in "no man's land", sharing cigarettes, personal photographs and handshakes.
The High Command on both sides was livid, issuing stern orders against fraternization with the enemy. Despite the official orders, some officers relaxed the rules, seeing the truce as a chance to improve morale and re-supply their trenches. The 1914 "Christmas Truce" lasted through Christmas Day, after which hostilities and brutal killing quickly resumed.
Our annual observance of the birth of Jesus usually comes amid hostilities in the world, our own nation and in many peoples' hearts. May the child born in Bethlehem's manger lead people of all nations to seek, "Peace on earth, good will towards all people" this year and every Christmas.
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and His name shall be called... Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6-7)
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