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Christmas in the Trenches

by Jim Wallis 12-23-2009 | 5:00pm
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We first published this reflection by Jim Wallis in 2002. It has since become our Christmas tradition, kind of our own Charlie Brown Christmas special, if you will. With the ongoing conflicts raging during each passing year, it remains tragically relevant, particularly this year as we think about Afghanistan.

Silent Night, by Stanley Weintraub, is the story of Christmas Eve, 1914, on the World War I battlefield in Flanders. As the German, British, and French troops facing each other were settling in for the night, a young German soldier began to sing "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht." Others joined in. When they had finished, the British and French responded with other Christmas carols.

Eventually, the men from both sides left their trenches and met in the middle. They shook hands, exchanged gifts, and shared pictures of their families. Informal soccer games began in what had been "no-man's-land." And a joint service was held to bury the dead of both sides.

The generals, of course, were not pleased with these events. Men who have come to know each other's names and seen each other's families are much less likely to want to kill each other. War seems to require a nameless, faceless enemy.

So, following that magical night the men on both sides spent a few days simply firing aimlessly into the sky. Then the war was back in earnest and continued for three more bloody years. Yet the story of that Christmas Eve lingered

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by: ckgmail

12-23-2009 @ 6:14pm

I would certainly welcome the take of peace-loving Islamic folk, or peace-loving folk of any or no religion. I doubt Jim Wallis is intentionally omitting Islamic people in this. For my part I am simply ignorant concerning Islamic peace lovers. I'm willing to be educated.

by: jkc1945

12-23-2009 @ 7:06pm

ckgmail, it is pretty easy to get the Islamic slant on their own definition of "peace." Just read the Q'uran. If you havent already done so, it will be an eye-opener, I promise.

by: duhsciple

12-23-2009 @ 7:48pm

Can you recommend where I might learn more about this Islamic pacifist? Thanks!

by: bill_baar

12-23-2009 @ 8:24pm

Sure, join Pakistan's Awami National Party supporters on Face Book. They're his political legacy in the Pashtoon speaking parts of Pakistan. His image is there. Google his name and you'll find info on him and also links to his books. He was a contemporary of Ghandi and a follower who felt forsaken in the slaughter following partition. His followers in the ANP suffer mightly today at the hands of the Taliban. There message of peace and tolerance is a direct threat to the Taliban and they pay in blood for it. Many of their elected members from Pak's NWF have been killed recently.

by: duhsciple

12-23-2009 @ 8:26pm

Thanks! I did google and will try to learn more about him.

by: bill_baar

12-23-2009 @ 8:39pm

PS There is a movie about Ghaffer Khan. Here's the trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL6gXT-5JE8

by: gogosian2061

12-23-2009 @ 9:34pm

HI ALL = Who said or wrote [para-phrasing] "They came for the Jews .. and no one prtesed .."

IT WAS NOT(!) MARTYRED LUTHERAN priest Fr. DIETRICH BONHOEFFER!

WHO WAS IT, please?

ACCEPT MY YOUR RESPONSE -- WITH MY ADVANCE THANKS!

"EXTRA THANKS" for an e-link / hyper-link to source of quote! :-)

by: ckgmail

12-23-2009 @ 11:19pm

Martin Niemoller--google him and you can no doubt find info on the quote.

by: bill pence

12-24-2009 @ 12:22am

yeah and how you do that is by friendship, by relationship.. i have many muslim friends, they're awesome people

by: facebook-1127576872

12-24-2009 @ 7:55am

I'm from Malaysia and we manage to celebrate and wish each other well for Christmas, the Muslim celebration of Aidil Fitri to end Ramadan, the Hindu Festival of Lights Diwali and Chinese New Year.

There are underlying tensions in this multi-religious multicultural society, but that's more to do with politics and power. By and large everyday Malaysians are more than happy to wish each other well, visit and feast with each other at all of these festivals.

People don't have an issue with the fact that we obviously believe different things.

It is possible.

by: aarondtaylor

12-24-2009 @ 1:55pm

When I was a missionary in Senegal, a country with about 94% Muslims, I was surprised to see Christmas decorations glittering the shopping plazas. Many Muslims wished me Merry Christmas, knowing that I was a Christian. Muslims are more generous than you might think when it comes to celebrating other people's holidays.

by: gogosian2061

12-24-2009 @ 1:59pm

*TNX for the cite! MERRY CHRISTMAS - dcp [in UT].*

** * * * *

*

by: Mennoman

12-24-2009 @ 3:57pm

Yes the Koran has belligerent passages. It also has passages about peace and tolerance.

Robert Wright, author of the The Evolution of God, provides a cogent explanation for the belligerent passages written in the Koran and emphasizes that they no more reflect the Islam as a whole than do the ugly, violent passages written in the Bible reflect Christianity as a whole.

Of course there are always those who take pleasure in contrasting another religion's worst aspects against the most positive aspects of their own religion.

by: BuckeyeDon

12-24-2009 @ 6:39pm

Thank you, Mennoman.

by: vonderrecke

01-04-2010 @ 9:30am

About Christmas in the trenches... Just a little correction... I think the battlefield was in France and not in Belgium ( the poem confirms my impression)... But that does not matter much... A very beautiful film "merry Christmas"http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joyeux-Noel-DVD-Gary-Lewis/dp/B000HWXQH0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1262597168&sr=1-4
tells the story and can be ordered at amazon UK.. Best antiwar film in a decade...
Best wishes for the new year
MNvd Recke Church and Peace

by: uberVU - social comments

12-25-2009 @ 3:49am

Social comments and analytics for this post...

This post was mentioned on Twitter by ordinarymostly: "Christmas in the Trenches" by Jim Wallis: http://blog.sojo.net/2009/12/23/christmas-in-the-trenches-2/ War is such a waste....

by: vonderrecke

01-04-2010 @ 7:30am

About Christmas in the trenches... Just a little correction... I think the battlefield was in France and not in Belgium ( the poem confirms my impression)... But that does not matter much... A very beautiful film "merry Christmas"http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joyeux-Noel-DVD-Gary-Lewis/dp/B000HWXQH0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1262597168&sr=1-4
tells the story and can be ordered at amazon UK.. Best antiwar film in a decade...
Best wishes for the new year
MNvd Recke Church and Peace

by: bill_baar

12-27-2009 @ 1:00pm

It seems the Xmas Bomber Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab indifferent to Christmas; or perhapes too aware and our caroling invited targeting. Too bad we were indifferent to his Father's warnings of his trips to Yemen, and thank God for a brave dutch passenger with wits to act.

by: greenpeaceRochdale1844

12-26-2009 @ 6:29pm

What is the basis for the desire for agreement by devaluing disagreement? Isn't it who has the most to lose from disagreement? As someone who has had some success and followed his conscience to social service and social and environmental justice, I affirm disagreement as the source of social justice.
In Greenpeace, Amnesty International, and Oxfam, and the movements and social entrepreneurship of solidarity economics, I affirm the social economics that affirms the social conscience behind Jesus Christ's teachings. Now, if anyone who supports those opposed to these principles wants to stop disagreeing, by all means. Who justifies war, lies through advertising, and profit maximization for absentee shareholders, and the inferiority of the non-rich? Let them stop disagreeing and be welcome.
The Gospels also refer to the love of neighbor as thyself, that God wants to be worshiped in Spirit and Truth (John 4), and that God will teach (John 6). I affirm that the public University represents the highest fidelity to the learning spirit of the love of Christ, including its interfaith possibilities and richness. Modern education is a Christian practice having incorporated Greek logic, but now hardly acknowledged by most Christian doctrines. Moreover, the teachings of the Buddha and Hindu Yoga, for example, like the Koran, can inform, deepen, and broaden and thus nurture the Christian love of God and neighbor. In this way, too, Christianity then can inform these religions. In this way, the unity of God, the diversity of people, and the love of God and neighbor taught by Christ can be extended with integrity. So, if those who think the stonewall assertion of Christ as Savior and the American worship of military might and imperial war don't want to disagree, may they be welcome this Christmas, and every day. This I affirm, and pray for all to recognize the disagreement behind social injustice.
While Jim's article on the soldiers is of course heartwarming and sobering, its truth does not end with the soldiers, but the futility of their action in the eyes of the executives, here the generals and the political leaders and monarchs of that day and age. Christmas is so familiar as the birth of Christ, but the work of pacifists and social justice activists is disparaged by those benefiting from the status quo and failing to direct their energies to social justice. Words and sentimental judgments are simply hypocritical and not enough in a world with real biophysical and ethicosocial limits. Socioeconomic limits, too. See Herman Daly's Beyond Growth for some rich theory, and William Greider's The Soul of Capitalism. Stop disagreeing with that, and we can then agree in a way which does not defile integrity and postpone the real need for practical salvation through corporate social responsibility, sustainable development, and social justice activism in honor of Christ's truth of the love of God and neighbor as thyself.
For that reason, I've taken to warming up Merry Christmas with Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah and Avaloshvara (for Avalokitehshvara), and Salaam Aleikum.

by: jason

12-24-2009 @ 7:26pm

agree

by: vonderrecke

01-04-2010 @ 9:30am

About Christmas in the trenches... Just a little correction... I think the battlefield was in France and not in Belgium ( the poem confirms my impression)... But that does not matter much... A very beautiful film "merry Christmas"http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joyeux-Noel-DVD-Gary-Lewis/dp/B000HWXQH0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1262597168&sr=1-4
tells the story and can be ordered at amazon UK.. Best antiwar film in a decade...
Best wishes for the new year
MNvd Recke Church and Peace

by: Tokens Show

12-23-2009 @ 3:13pm

Thanks, Jim. Your readers may be interested in a Tokens Show we did for Christmas last year, telling this story, and playing the music with some of Nashville's finest. Please see: http://podcast.tokensshow.com/?p=5

by: vonderrecke

01-04-2010 @ 7:30am

About Christmas in the trenches... Just a little correction... I think the battlefield was in France and not in Belgium ( the poem confirms my impression)... But that does not matter much... A very beautiful film "merry Christmas"http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joyeux-Noel-DVD-Gary-Lewis/dp/B000HWXQH0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1262597168&sr=1-4
tells the story and can be ordered at amazon UK.. Best antiwar film in a decade...
Best wishes for the new year
MNvd Recke Church and Peace

by: bill_baar

12-23-2009 @ 3:19pm

It might be a little odd to ask Muslims: allied and foe alike, to come out and sing with us on a Holiday so overlaid with Christianity. I realize there is a good deal of Jesus in Islam; but not Christ.

This thought may seem more insult than goodwill gesture.

by: bill_baar

12-27-2009 @ 1:00pm

It seems the Xmas Bomber Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab indifferent to Christmas; or perhapes too aware and our caroling invited targeting. Too bad we were indifferent to his Father's warnings of his trips to Yemen, and thank God for a brave dutch passenger with wits to act.

by: jhchapman1982

12-23-2009 @ 3:45pm

To bill-baar: I reckon Jim Wallis was suggesting the spirit of Dec. 25, 1914 be brought to Dec. 25, 2010, not necessarily the form.

by: greenpeaceRochdale1844

12-26-2009 @ 6:29pm

What is the basis for the desire for agreement by devaluing disagreement? Isn't it who has the most to lose from disagreement? As someone who has had some success and followed his conscience to social service and social and environmental justice, I affirm disagreement as the source of social justice.
In Greenpeace, Amnesty International, and Oxfam, and the movements and social entrepreneurship of solidarity economics, I affirm the social economics that affirms the social conscience behind Jesus Christ's teachings. Now, if anyone who supports those opposed to these principles wants to stop disagreeing, by all means. Who justifies war, lies through advertising, and profit maximization for absentee shareholders, and the inferiority of the non-rich? Let them stop disagreeing and be welcome.
The Gospels also refer to the love of neighbor as thyself, that God wants to be worshiped in Spirit and Truth (John 4), and that God will teach (John 6). I affirm that the public University represents the highest fidelity to the learning spirit of the love of Christ, including its interfaith possibilities and richness. Modern education is a Christian practice having incorporated Greek logic, but now hardly acknowledged by most Christian doctrines. Moreover, the teachings of the Buddha and Hindu Yoga, for example, like the Koran, can inform, deepen, and broaden and thus nurture the Christian love of God and neighbor. In this way, too, Christianity then can inform these religions. In this way, the unity of God, the diversity of people, and the love of God and neighbor taught by Christ can be extended with integrity. So, if those who think the stonewall assertion of Christ as Savior and the American worship of military might and imperial war don't want to disagree, may they be welcome this Christmas, and every day. This I affirm, and pray for all to recognize the disagreement behind social injustice.
While Jim's article on the soldiers is of course heartwarming and sobering, its truth does not end with the soldiers, but the futility of their action in the eyes of the executives, here the generals and the political leaders and monarchs of that day and age. Christmas is so familiar as the birth of Christ, but the work of pacifists and social justice activists is disparaged by those benefiting from the status quo and failing to direct their energies to social justice. Words and sentimental judgments are simply hypocritical and not enough in a world with real biophysical and ethicosocial limits. Socioeconomic limits, too. See Herman Daly's Beyond Growth for some rich theory, and William Greider's The Soul of Capitalism. Stop disagreeing with that, and we can then agree in a way which does not defile integrity and postpone the real need for practical salvation through corporate social responsibility, sustainable development, and social justice activism in honor of Christ's truth of the love of God and neighbor as thyself.
For that reason, I've taken to warming up Merry Christmas with Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah and Avaloshvara (for Avalokitehshvara), and Salaam Aleikum.

by: DJ9791

12-23-2009 @ 4:06pm

Two other sources for information about the "Christmas Truce"; the History Channel has an excellent 1 hour documentary titled "The Christmas Truce"; particularly stirring are two grandchildren of World War I participants, one English, one German, who lay a wreath of remembrance at the shrine in Ypres, Belgium, one of the locations of the truceand scene of terrible battles...the other is the fictional "Joyeaux Noel" which gives great energy to the story.

As to these posts, isn't it time that we put aside our differences, particularly those of faith, and join in prayer for lasting peace? My wife and I have the privilege of knowing Muslims, Buddhists and non-believers all of whom long for peace in our world...contrary to what is portrayed in the media. We believe that all people have some spiritual part of their lives where the thirst for peace dwells.

Pray for Peace, Dare to Act, and have a blessed Christmas!

by: jason

12-24-2009 @ 7:26pm

agree

by: nuclearferret

12-23-2009 @ 4:25pm

Well, if the two sides cannot understand each others' holidays, and indeed take them as insult, then the act is pointless anyway

by: douglangdon

12-23-2009 @ 4:30pm

Yet another resource is "Silent Night",, the story read by Walter Chronkite with songs by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (soloists in WWI uniforms),,seems to be out of print..ISBN-13: 9781590381908
And John McCutcheon has a children's book titled Christmas in the Trenches , water color pics and it includes a CD of the song
doug langdon

by: bill_baar

12-23-2009 @ 5:10pm

@James, it would be interesting to get some Islamic takes on the form v spirit issue.

I've had the same feeling about Religous who reference Ghandi and Kind about Afghanistan --a Hindu and Christain-- when there are the likes of Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan. Why is it only the non-Islamic pacifists we choice to reference when speaking out against wars? What is a Muslim to make of our waving Ghandi and King about instead? Considering Ghandi and partition, and extremely provactive reference... in spirit and form.

by: tinkouse

12-23-2009 @ 5:32pm

My wish for this sacred season is that the spirit of 1914 Christmas will infuse the opposing sides in Congress so that the bipartisan bickering will give way to peace - in our country and throughout the world.

by: ckgmail

12-23-2009 @ 6:14pm

I would certainly welcome the take of peace-loving Islamic folk, or peace-loving folk of any or no religion. I doubt Jim Wallis is intentionally omitting Islamic people in this. For my part I am simply ignorant concerning Islamic peace lovers. I'm willing to be educated.

by: jkc1945

12-23-2009 @ 7:06pm

ckgmail, it is pretty easy to get the Islamic slant on their own definition of "peace." Just read the Q'uran. If you havent already done so, it will be an eye-opener, I promise.

by: duhsciple

12-23-2009 @ 7:48pm

Can you recommend where I might learn more about this Islamic pacifist? Thanks!

by: bill_baar

12-23-2009 @ 8:24pm

Sure, join Pakistan's Awami National Party supporters on Face Book. They're his political legacy in the Pashtoon speaking parts of Pakistan. His image is there. Google his name and you'll find info on him and also links to his books. He was a contemporary of Ghandi and a follower who felt forsaken in the slaughter following partition. His followers in the ANP suffer mightly today at the hands of the Taliban. There message of peace and tolerance is a direct threat to the Taliban and they pay in blood for it. Many of their elected members from Pak's NWF have been killed recently.

by: duhsciple

12-23-2009 @ 8:26pm

Thanks! I did google and will try to learn more about him.

by: bill_baar

12-23-2009 @ 8:39pm

PS There is a movie about Ghaffer Khan. Here's the trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL6gXT-5JE8

by: gogosian2061

12-23-2009 @ 9:34pm

HI ALL = Who said or wrote [para-phrasing] "They came for the Jews .. and no one prtesed .."

IT WAS NOT(!) MARTYRED LUTHERAN priest Fr. DIETRICH BONHOEFFER!

WHO WAS IT, please?

ACCEPT MY YOUR RESPONSE -- WITH MY ADVANCE THANKS!

"EXTRA THANKS" for an e-link / hyper-link to source of quote! :-)

by: ckgmail

12-23-2009 @ 11:19pm

Martin Niemoller--google him and you can no doubt find info on the quote.

by: bill pence

12-24-2009 @ 12:22am

yeah and how you do that is by friendship, by relationship.. i have many muslim friends, they're awesome people

by: Tokens Show

12-23-2009 @ 3:13pm

Thanks, Jim. Your readers may be interested in a Tokens Show we did for Christmas last year, telling this story, and playing the music with some of Nashville's finest. Please see: http://podcast.tokensshow.com/?p=5

by: facebook-1127576872

12-24-2009 @ 7:55am

I'm from Malaysia and we manage to celebrate and wish each other well for Christmas, the Muslim celebration of Aidil Fitri to end Ramadan, the Hindu Festival of Lights Diwali and Chinese New Year.

There are underlying tensions in this multi-religious multicultural society, but that's more to do with politics and power. By and large everyday Malaysians are more than happy to wish each other well, visit and feast with each other at all of these festivals.

People don't have an issue with the fact that we obviously believe different things.

It is possible.

by: bill_baar

12-23-2009 @ 3:19pm

It might be a little odd to ask Muslims: allied and foe alike, to come out and sing with us on a Holiday so overlaid with Christianity. I realize there is a good deal of Jesus in Islam; but not Christ.

This thought may seem more insult than goodwill gesture.

by: jhchapman1982

12-23-2009 @ 3:45pm

To bill-baar: I reckon Jim Wallis was suggesting the spirit of Dec. 25, 1914 be brought to Dec. 25, 2010, not necessarily the form.

by: DJ9791

12-23-2009 @ 4:06pm

Two other sources for information about the "Christmas Truce"; the History Channel has an excellent 1 hour documentary titled "The Christmas Truce"; particularly stirring are two grandchildren of World War I participants, one English, one German, who lay a wreath of remembrance at the shrine in Ypres, Belgium, one of the locations of the truceand scene of terrible battles...the other is the fictional "Joyeaux Noel" which gives great energy to the story.

As to these posts, isn't it time that we put aside our differences, particularly those of faith, and join in prayer for lasting peace? My wife and I have the privilege of knowing Muslims, Buddhists and non-believers all of whom long for peace in our world...contrary to what is portrayed in the media. We believe that all people have some spiritual part of their lives where the thirst for peace dwells.

Pray for Peace, Dare to Act, and have a blessed Christmas!

by: aarondtaylor

12-24-2009 @ 1:55pm

When I was a missionary in Senegal, a country with about 94% Muslims, I was surprised to see Christmas decorations glittering the shopping plazas. Many Muslims wished me Merry Christmas, knowing that I was a Christian. Muslims are more generous than you might think when it comes to celebrating other people's holidays.

by: gogosian2061

12-24-2009 @ 1:59pm

*TNX for the cite! MERRY CHRISTMAS - dcp [in UT].*

** * * * *

*

by: nuclearferret

12-23-2009 @ 4:25pm

Well, if the two sides cannot understand each others' holidays, and indeed take them as insult, then the act is pointless anyway

Comments sorted by highest rated. After voting you must refresh your page to see the sort order change.

by: Tokens Show

12-23-2009 @ 3:13pm

Thanks, Jim. Your readers may be interested in a Tokens Show we did for Christmas last year, telling this story, and playing the music with some of Nashville's finest. Please see: http://podcast.tokensshow.com/?p=5

by: Tokens Show

12-23-2009 @ 3:13pm

Thanks, Jim. Your readers may be interested in a Tokens Show we did for Christmas last year, telling this story, and playing the music with some of Nashville's finest. Please see: http://podcast.tokensshow.com/?p=5

by: bill_baar

12-23-2009 @ 3:19pm

It might be a little odd to ask Muslims: allied and foe alike, to come out and sing with us on a Holiday so overlaid with Christianity. I realize there is a good deal of Jesus in Islam; but not Christ.

This thought may seem more insult than goodwill gesture.

by: bill_baar

12-23-2009 @ 3:19pm

It might be a little odd to ask Muslims: allied and foe alike, to come out and sing with us on a Holiday so overlaid with Christianity. I realize there is a good deal of Jesus in Islam; but not Christ.

This thought may seem more insult than goodwill gesture.

by: jhchapman1982

12-23-2009 @ 3:45pm

To bill-baar: I reckon Jim Wallis was suggesting the spirit of Dec. 25, 1914 be brought to Dec. 25, 2010, not necessarily the form.

by: jhchapman1982

12-23-2009 @ 3:45pm

To bill-baar: I reckon Jim Wallis was suggesting the spirit of Dec. 25, 1914 be brought to Dec. 25, 2010, not necessarily the form.

by: DJ9791

12-23-2009 @ 4:06pm

Two other sources for information about the "Christmas Truce"; the History Channel has an excellent 1 hour documentary titled "The Christmas Truce"; particularly stirring are two grandchildren of World War I participants, one English, one German, who lay a wreath of remembrance at the shrine in Ypres, Belgium, one of the locations of the truceand scene of terrible battles...the other is the fictional "Joyeaux Noel" which gives great energy to the story.

As to these posts, isn't it time that we put aside our differences, particularly those of faith, and join in prayer for lasting peace? My wife and I have the privilege of knowing Muslims, Buddhists and non-believers all of whom long for peace in our world...contrary to what is portrayed in the media. We believe that all people have some spiritual part of their lives where the thirst for peace dwells.

Pray for Peace, Dare to Act, and have a blessed Christmas!

by: DJ9791

12-23-2009 @ 4:06pm

Two other sources for information about the "Christmas Truce"; the History Channel has an excellent 1 hour documentary titled "The Christmas Truce"; particularly stirring are two grandchildren of World War I participants, one English, one German, who lay a wreath of remembrance at the shrine in Ypres, Belgium, one of the locations of the truceand scene of terrible battles...the other is the fictional "Joyeaux Noel" which gives great energy to the story.

As to these posts, isn't it time that we put aside our differences, particularly those of faith, and join in prayer for lasting peace? My wife and I have the privilege of knowing Muslims, Buddhists and non-believers all of whom long for peace in our world...contrary to what is portrayed in the media. We believe that all people have some spiritual part of their lives where the thirst for peace dwells.

Pray for Peace, Dare to Act, and have a blessed Christmas!

by: nuclearferret

12-23-2009 @ 4:25pm

Well, if the two sides cannot understand each others' holidays, and indeed take them as insult, then the act is pointless anyway

by: nuclearferret

12-23-2009 @ 4:25pm

Well, if the two sides cannot understand each others' holidays, and indeed take them as insult, then the act is pointless anyway

by: douglangdon

12-23-2009 @ 4:30pm

Yet another resource is "Silent Night",, the story read by Walter Chronkite with songs by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (soloists in WWI uniforms),,seems to be out of print..ISBN-13: 9781590381908
And John McCutcheon has a children's book titled Christmas in the Trenches , water color pics and it includes a CD of the song
doug langdon

by: douglangdon

12-23-2009 @ 4:30pm

Yet another resource is "Silent Night",, the story read by Walter Chronkite with songs by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (soloists in WWI uniforms),,seems to be out of print..ISBN-13: 9781590381908
And John McCutcheon has a children's book titled Christmas in the Trenches , water color pics and it includes a CD of the song
doug langdon

by: bill_baar

12-23-2009 @ 5:10pm

@James, it would be interesting to get some Islamic takes on the form v spirit issue.

I've had the same feeling about Religous who reference Ghandi and Kind about Afghanistan --a Hindu and Christain-- when there are the likes of Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan. Why is it only the non-Islamic pacifists we choice to reference when speaking out against wars? What is a Muslim to make of our waving Ghandi and King about instead? Considering Ghandi and partition, and extremely provactive reference... in spirit and form.

by: bill_baar

12-23-2009 @ 5:10pm

@James, it would be interesting to get some Islamic takes on the form v spirit issue.

I've had the same feeling about Religous who reference Ghandi and Kind about Afghanistan --a Hindu and Christain-- when there are the likes of Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan. Why is it only the non-Islamic pacifists we choice to reference when speaking out against wars? What is a Muslim to make of our waving Ghandi and King about instead? Considering Ghandi and partition, and extremely provactive reference... in spirit and form.

by: tinkouse

12-23-2009 @ 5:32pm

My wish for this sacred season is that the spirit of 1914 Christmas will infuse the opposing sides in Congress so that the bipartisan bickering will give way to peace - in our country and throughout the world.

by: tinkouse

12-23-2009 @ 5:32pm

My wish for this sacred season is that the spirit of 1914 Christmas will infuse the opposing sides in Congress so that the bipartisan bickering will give way to peace - in our country and throughout the world.

by: ckgmail

12-23-2009 @ 6:14pm

I would certainly welcome the take of peace-loving Islamic folk, or peace-loving folk of any or no religion. I doubt Jim Wallis is intentionally omitting Islamic people in this. For my part I am simply ignorant concerning Islamic peace lovers. I'm willing to be educated.

by: ckgmail

12-23-2009 @ 6:14pm

I would certainly welcome the take of peace-loving Islamic folk, or peace-loving folk of any or no religion. I doubt Jim Wallis is intentionally omitting Islamic people in this. For my part I am simply ignorant concerning Islamic peace lovers. I'm willing to be educated.

by: jkc1945

12-23-2009 @ 7:06pm

ckgmail, it is pretty easy to get the Islamic slant on their own definition of "peace." Just read the Q'uran. If you havent already done so, it will be an eye-opener, I promise.

by: jkc1945

12-23-2009 @ 7:06pm

ckgmail, it is pretty easy to get the Islamic slant on their own definition of "peace." Just read the Q'uran. If you havent already done so, it will be an eye-opener, I promise.

by: duhsciple

12-23-2009 @ 7:48pm

Can you recommend where I might learn more about this Islamic pacifist? Thanks!

by: duhsciple

12-23-2009 @ 7:48pm

Can you recommend where I might learn more about this Islamic pacifist? Thanks!

by: bill_baar

12-23-2009 @ 8:24pm

Sure, join Pakistan's Awami National Party supporters on Face Book. They're his political legacy in the Pashtoon speaking parts of Pakistan. His image is there. Google his name and you'll find info on him and also links to his books. He was a contemporary of Ghandi and a follower who felt forsaken in the slaughter following partition. His followers in the ANP suffer mightly today at the hands of the Taliban. There message of peace and tolerance is a direct threat to the Taliban and they pay in blood for it. Many of their elected members from Pak's NWF have been killed recently.

by: bill_baar

12-23-2009 @ 8:24pm

Sure, join Pakistan's Awami National Party supporters on Face Book. They're his political legacy in the Pashtoon speaking parts of Pakistan. His image is there. Google his name and you'll find info on him and also links to his books. He was a contemporary of Ghandi and a follower who felt forsaken in the slaughter following partition. His followers in the ANP suffer mightly today at the hands of the Taliban. There message of peace and tolerance is a direct threat to the Taliban and they pay in blood for it. Many of their elected members from Pak's NWF have been killed recently.

by: duhsciple

12-23-2009 @ 8:26pm

Thanks! I did google and will try to learn more about him.

by: duhsciple

12-23-2009 @ 8:26pm

Thanks! I did google and will try to learn more about him.

by: bill_baar

12-23-2009 @ 8:39pm

PS There is a movie about Ghaffer Khan. Here's the trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL6gXT-5JE8

by: bill_baar

12-23-2009 @ 8:39pm

PS There is a movie about Ghaffer Khan. Here's the trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL6gXT-5JE8

by: gogosian2061

12-23-2009 @ 9:34pm

HI ALL = Who said or wrote [para-phrasing] "They came for the Jews .. and no one prtesed .."

IT WAS NOT(!) MARTYRED LUTHERAN priest Fr. DIETRICH BONHOEFFER!

WHO WAS IT, please?

ACCEPT MY YOUR RESPONSE -- WITH MY ADVANCE THANKS!

"EXTRA THANKS" for an e-link / hyper-link to source of quote! :-)

by: gogosian2061

12-23-2009 @ 9:34pm

HI ALL = Who said or wrote [para-phrasing] "They came for the Jews .. and no one prtesed .."

IT WAS NOT(!) MARTYRED LUTHERAN priest Fr. DIETRICH BONHOEFFER!

WHO WAS IT, please?

ACCEPT MY YOUR RESPONSE -- WITH MY ADVANCE THANKS!

"EXTRA THANKS" for an e-link / hyper-link to source of quote! :-)

by: ckgmail

12-23-2009 @ 11:19pm

Martin Niemoller--google him and you can no doubt find info on the quote.

by: ckgmail

12-23-2009 @ 11:19pm

Martin Niemoller--google him and you can no doubt find info on the quote.

by: bill pence

12-24-2009 @ 12:22am

yeah and how you do that is by friendship, by relationship.. i have many muslim friends, they're awesome people

by: bill pence

12-24-2009 @ 12:22am

yeah and how you do that is by friendship, by relationship.. i have many muslim friends, they're awesome people

by: facebook-1127576872

12-24-2009 @ 7:55am

I'm from Malaysia and we manage to celebrate and wish each other well for Christmas, the Muslim celebration of Aidil Fitri to end Ramadan, the Hindu Festival of Lights Diwali and Chinese New Year.

There are underlying tensions in this multi-religious multicultural society, but that's more to do with politics and power. By and large everyday Malaysians are more than happy to wish each other well, visit and feast with each other at all of these festivals.

People don't have an issue with the fact that we obviously believe different things.

It is possible.

by: facebook-1127576872

12-24-2009 @ 7:55am

I'm from Malaysia and we manage to celebrate and wish each other well for Christmas, the Muslim celebration of Aidil Fitri to end Ramadan, the Hindu Festival of Lights Diwali and Chinese New Year.

There are underlying tensions in this multi-religious multicultural society, but that's more to do with politics and power. By and large everyday Malaysians are more than happy to wish each other well, visit and feast with each other at all of these festivals.

People don't have an issue with the fact that we obviously believe different things.

It is possible.

by: aarondtaylor

12-24-2009 @ 1:55pm

When I was a missionary in Senegal, a country with about 94% Muslims, I was surprised to see Christmas decorations glittering the shopping plazas. Many Muslims wished me Merry Christmas, knowing that I was a Christian. Muslims are more generous than you might think when it comes to celebrating other people's holidays.

by: aarondtaylor

12-24-2009 @ 1:55pm

When I was a missionary in Senegal, a country with about 94% Muslims, I was surprised to see Christmas decorations glittering the shopping plazas. Many Muslims wished me Merry Christmas, knowing that I was a Christian. Muslims are more generous than you might think when it comes to celebrating other people's holidays.

by: gogosian2061

12-24-2009 @ 1:59pm

*TNX for the cite! MERRY CHRISTMAS - dcp [in UT].*

** * * * *

*

by: gogosian2061

12-24-2009 @ 1:59pm

*TNX for the cite! MERRY CHRISTMAS - dcp [in UT].*

** * * * *

*

by: Mennoman

12-24-2009 @ 3:57pm

Yes the Koran has belligerent passages. It also has passages about peace and tolerance.

Robert Wright, author of the The Evolution of God, provides a cogent explanation for the belligerent passages written in the Koran and emphasizes that they no more reflect the Islam as a whole than do the ugly, violent passages written in the Bible reflect Christianity as a whole.

Of course there are always those who take pleasure in contrasting another religion's worst aspects against the most positive aspects of their own religion.

by: Mennoman

12-24-2009 @ 3:57pm

Yes the Koran has belligerent passages. It also has passages about peace and tolerance.

Robert Wright, author of the The Evolution of God, provides a cogent explanation for the belligerent passages written in the Koran and emphasizes that they no more reflect the Islam as a whole than do the ugly, violent passages written in the Bible reflect Christianity as a whole.

Of course there are always those who take pleasure in contrasting another religion's worst aspects against the most positive aspects of their own religion.

by: BuckeyeDon

12-24-2009 @ 6:39pm

Thank you, Mennoman.

by: BuckeyeDon

12-24-2009 @ 6:39pm

Thank you, Mennoman.

by: jason

12-24-2009 @ 7:26pm

agree

by: jason

12-24-2009 @ 7:26pm

agree

by: uberVU - social comments

12-25-2009 @ 3:49am

Social comments and analytics for this post...

This post was mentioned on Twitter by ordinarymostly: "Christmas in the Trenches" by Jim Wallis: http://blog.sojo.net/2009/12/23/christmas-in-the-trenches-2/ War is such a waste....

by: greenpeaceRochdale1844

12-26-2009 @ 6:29pm

What is the basis for the desire for agreement by devaluing disagreement? Isn't it who has the most to lose from disagreement? As someone who has had some success and followed his conscience to social service and social and environmental justice, I affirm disagreement as the source of social justice.
In Greenpeace, Amnesty International, and Oxfam, and the movements and social entrepreneurship of solidarity economics, I affirm the social economics that affirms the social conscience behind Jesus Christ's teachings. Now, if anyone who supports those opposed to these principles wants to stop disagreeing, by all means. Who justifies war, lies through advertising, and profit maximization for absentee shareholders, and the inferiority of the non-rich? Let them stop disagreeing and be welcome.
The Gospels also refer to the love of neighbor as thyself, that God wants to be worshiped in Spirit and Truth (John 4), and that God will teach (John 6). I affirm that the public University represents the highest fidelity to the learning spirit of the love of Christ, including its interfaith possibilities and richness. Modern education is a Christian practice having incorporated Greek logic, but now hardly acknowledged by most Christian doctrines. Moreover, the teachings of the Buddha and Hindu Yoga, for example, like the Koran, can inform, deepen, and broaden and thus nurture the Christian love of God and neighbor. In this way, too, Christianity then can inform these religions. In this way, the unity of God, the diversity of people, and the love of God and neighbor taught by Christ can be extended with integrity. So, if those who think the stonewall assertion of Christ as Savior and the American worship of military might and imperial war don't want to disagree, may they be welcome this Christmas, and every day. This I affirm, and pray for all to recognize the disagreement behind social injustice.
While Jim's article on the soldiers is of course heartwarming and sobering, its truth does not end with the soldiers, but the futility of their action in the eyes of the executives, here the generals and the political leaders and monarchs of that day and age. Christmas is so familiar as the birth of Christ, but the work of pacifists and social justice activists is disparaged by those benefiting from the status quo and failing to direct their energies to social justice. Words and sentimental judgments are simply hypocritical and not enough in a world with real biophysical and ethicosocial limits. Socioeconomic limits, too. See Herman Daly's Beyond Growth for some rich theory, and William Greider's The Soul of Capitalism. Stop disagreeing with that, and we can then agree in a way which does not defile integrity and postpone the real need for practical salvation through corporate social responsibility, sustainable development, and social justice activism in honor of Christ's truth of the love of God and neighbor as thyself.
For that reason, I've taken to warming up Merry Christmas with Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah and Avaloshvara (for Avalokitehshvara), and Salaam Aleikum.

by: greenpeaceRochdale1844

12-26-2009 @ 6:29pm

What is the basis for the desire for agreement by devaluing disagreement? Isn't it who has the most to lose from disagreement? As someone who has had some success and followed his conscience to social service and social and environmental justice, I affirm disagreement as the source of social justice.
In Greenpeace, Amnesty International, and Oxfam, and the movements and social entrepreneurship of solidarity economics, I affirm the social economics that affirms the social conscience behind Jesus Christ's teachings. Now, if anyone who supports those opposed to these principles wants to stop disagreeing, by all means. Who justifies war, lies through advertising, and profit maximization for absentee shareholders, and the inferiority of the non-rich? Let them stop disagreeing and be welcome.
The Gospels also refer to the love of neighbor as thyself, that God wants to be worshiped in Spirit and Truth (John 4), and that God will teach (John 6). I affirm that the public University represents the highest fidelity to the learning spirit of the love of Christ, including its interfaith possibilities and richness. Modern education is a Christian practice having incorporated Greek logic, but now hardly acknowledged by most Christian doctrines. Moreover, the teachings of the Buddha and Hindu Yoga, for example, like the Koran, can inform, deepen, and broaden and thus nurture the Christian love of God and neighbor. In this way, too, Christianity then can inform these religions. In this way, the unity of God, the diversity of people, and the love of God and neighbor taught by Christ can be extended with integrity. So, if those who think the stonewall assertion of Christ as Savior and the American worship of military might and imperial war don't want to disagree, may they be welcome this Christmas, and every day. This I affirm, and pray for all to recognize the disagreement behind social injustice.
While Jim's article on the soldiers is of course heartwarming and sobering, its truth does not end with the soldiers, but the futility of their action in the eyes of the executives, here the generals and the political leaders and monarchs of that day and age. Christmas is so familiar as the birth of Christ, but the work of pacifists and social justice activists is disparaged by those benefiting from the status quo and failing to direct their energies to social justice. Words and sentimental judgments are simply hypocritical and not enough in a world with real biophysical and ethicosocial limits. Socioeconomic limits, too. See Herman Daly's Beyond Growth for some rich theory, and William Greider's The Soul of Capitalism. Stop disagreeing with that, and we can then agree in a way which does not defile integrity and postpone the real need for practical salvation through corporate social responsibility, sustainable development, and social justice activism in honor of Christ's truth of the love of God and neighbor as thyself.
For that reason, I've taken to warming up Merry Christmas with Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah and Avaloshvara (for Avalokitehshvara), and Salaam Aleikum.

by: bill_baar

12-27-2009 @ 1:00pm

It seems the Xmas Bomber Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab indifferent to Christmas; or perhapes too aware and our caroling invited targeting. Too bad we were indifferent to his Father's warnings of his trips to Yemen, and thank God for a brave dutch passenger with wits to act.