As the American Civil War raged, and with Christmas approaching, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow put pen to paper:

“I heard the bells on Christmas Day. Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

But then the cannon’s roar broke his reverie and drowned out the sweet music of the church bells. He continued:

“And in despair I bowed my head; ‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said; ‘For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!’”

Thankfully, that wasn’t the end of his poem. He concluded with this hope:

“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: ‘God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men.’”

The Christmas spirit has a wholesome effect on human hearts, even in troubled times. Especially in troubled times!

Earlier still, in the days of the Revolution, things were going badly for the colonial forces against the British. Toward the end of 1776, the war hung in the balance. The British had won some recent battles, and soldiers were deserting the Continental Army.

So on Christmas Day, Gen. George Washington decided to see if they could turn the tide of the war. He led 2,400 troops on a daring night crossing of the ice-laden Delaware River. A surprise, and successful, attack was mounted against the German (Hessian) troops in Trenton, New Jersey. His bold crossing of the Delaware was a tipping point in the conflict.

Then on Dec. 24, 1814, while many around the world celebrated Christmas Eve, the United States and Great Britain were sitting down to sign the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812. This war was the first time young America had signed a declaration of war. Whatever else was gained, we did receive “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key!

The year 1914 saw the Christmas spirit descend on a most unlikely place — the muddy battlefield at Ypres, France, during the grim days of World War I. My grandfather was wounded in that battle. But before that happened, he witnessed the power of Christmas love in action.

As Dec. 24 darkened into night, British troops heard a few German soldiers begin to sing in their own tongue, “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht.” They may not have known the words, but the tune was familiar. So the British joined in, singing the lyrics translated from the carol by Franz Gruber:

“Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright; Round yon virgin mother and child! Holy Infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.”

Some of the weary combatants gingerly ventured into no-man’s land to wish their enemies Christmas blessings. You might almost imagine angels joining in the song that night.

Of course, the real end to hostilities, the true victories in life, come only when we invite into our hearts the One for whom there was no room at Bethlehem’s inn.

Here is the ultimate Christmas present for you. Jesus offered, “I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.” (John 14:27, NLT)

Have you room for Jesus?

Jabe Nicholson of Starkville visits four prisons each week with heaven’s life-changing message. Write [email protected] or visit www.uplook.tv

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