Eerily and somewhat frighteningly, I had the opportunity to be in Belfast, Northern Ireland at the height of the Catholic/Protestant War (conflict). A friend and I were touring Europe. We took a ship over from Scotland only to feel as if we had landed in a scene from World War II. From guards at gated checkpoints throughout the city to being detained by police who arrived at our street side location by way of a police car (which more closely resembled an armored personnel carrier), the forty-eight hours we spent in Belfast before heading south into the Republic of Ireland was an experience I shall never forget. On the first night, the cabbie who met us at the ship’s port drove to our hotel, but strangely, continued to circle and not stop. When we inquired, he suggested that we should go back to the port and sleep on the floor of the port where our ship had docked. Reluctantly, we agreed. I rolled out my garment bag and slept on it as a mattress, using a couple of shirts as my pillow. The next morning, we learned that the retail outlet next to our hotel had been blown up during the night. Holy Cow! We were forever grateful for the local advice from one who knew the intensity of this conflict. A few months later Christmastime arrived and all I could think about was, “What will this city look like on Christmas Day?” To my relief and surprise, when Christmas Day came, as I checked a national news channel, the message clearly rang that both sides, out of respect for the day representing the birth of Christ, had called a truce for that day. There was no gunfire, no fighting, no death on that Christmas Day.
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I’m not sure of the year, but I do remember a time of heightened fighting in my young adult life between Israeli forces and the Palestinians (a conflict which began before Christ’s first coming) near Christmas. Again, knowing what I know about Israel I was intrigued to see what that city would look like on Christmas day in the midst of war-like conflict. Again, thankfully, news reports on Christmas Day gave evidence that both sides had called a truce for Christmas Day, unwilling to defile the celebrated time of Christ’s birth. Of course history buffs will remember the Christmas Truce of 1914 (WWI) when soldiers took it upon themselves to call a truce for Christmas Day – refusing to promote death and destruction on such a sacred occasion. – I’m certain there are other incidents similar throughout history, and I recall these three to a point. For what other man has there ever been such reverence, such awe, and such consideration as Christ the King, around the world!?
Yes! I know. The day we celebrate as the day of Christ’s birth is not likely the actual date, but what other figure throughout history has commanded such respect that literally wars stopped in their honor? Christmas 2020 will no doubt become a benchmark in history. The white-collar crime of historic proportions resulting in a stolen national election, a plandemic intentionally set in motion to control masses of people worldwide, death being celebrated and promoted, and more. What a year! Sadly, I fear that the arrogant and ignorant generations which fueled these events have so little moral code that there could be another first, historically. Although, as evidenced by the three examples I shared, the world, believing and non-believing has always marked Christmas Day as sacred – even in times of war, 2020 may be different. Call me a cynic as I near sixty-years-old, and Glory to God I pray that I will be proven wrong. Nonetheless, in my heart I fear that the hate-filled, blood-thirsty, divisive individuals who are so intensely pushing to have a murderous Nebuchadnezzar and a deadly Jezebel become their trusted leaders will in no way call a truce to their godlessness, even for a day, in spite of historical precedent.
Ah! Regardless, the one thing that will not change is the truth of the story, and the redemption and hope which He, the central figure of Christmas offers to the world. If you recall, when Christ the King arrived on the planet, the earthly king of that region was so indignant and self-consumed that he ordered the murder of boy children throughout the region, not knowing how to find the true King who had been born. (Herod jealously feared losing his seat.) Isaiah 9 reminds us that this One, the true King of all Kings, came and in so doing established a kingdom which will never end. The Catholic/Protestant conflict ended, after thirty bloody years. The first world war saw a second world war, and subsequent wars. Nonetheless, these deadly exhibitions of our fallen humanity too have ended.
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Praise God Almighty! If I’m still sucking and blowing wind on January 1, 2021, I can at least say that I survived the year 2020 and lived to tell of it. As for the murderous thieves we see stealing the reigns of leadership in this nation, they, and those who cast lots with them will get exactly what they’ve sold their souls to gain. God promised it. (Sowing and Reaping – Galatians 6:7) Yet, without fail, Christ will still be King! We who remain faithful to the Christ of Christmas will prevail in the end. A nation begging for godless values cannot thwart what was set in motion for all time when on that night, a holy night, a night recognized even by non-believers of times past, all of history was changed, when Hope, eternal hope stepped out of Heaven, enrobed Himself in human flesh, and proved Himself to be Lord of All – even Lord of the unbelieving. (Romans 14) So, my friends, WE CELEBRATE! We celebrate the Christ of Christmas, for nothing in this present darkness can compare to that which He has prepared for those of us who know Him in an intimate, personal, passionate love relationship. In closing, let me recall the chorus of a childhood Christmas song, by Perry Como.
“ C – is for the Christchild, born upon this day
H – for Herald Angels in the night
R – means our Redeemer
I – means Israel
S – is for the Star that shone so bright
T – is for Three Wise Men, they who traveled far
M – is for the Manger where He lay
A – is for All He stand for
S – means, Shepherds came
. . . and that’s why there’s a Christmas Day. . .” Merry Christmas! Brother Royce I Cor. 9:16
