On Christmas Day in 1914, an unprecedented truce -- that was never declared, nor ever officially agreed upon -- spread across the Western Front during World War I. "Not a shot was fired," read the headlines as war-weary enemies crossed no-man's land and shared moments of Peace and fraternity. Some say this will never happen again...
Fast forward to January 2013, and toward the southeast to another land torn by war: Syria. For a few fleeting hours following a snowstorm, people in Syria's capital traded snowballs instead of shells. Residents and military literally put down guns for impromptu snowballs and snowmen. Neighbors spoke kindly with those on the opposing side, and laughter was heard instead of gunfire and violence.
For a brief time, hatred, violence and the war was forgotten.
In my Christmas Peace post, I remarked: My guess is that the true Prince of Peace
walked the no man's land between the lines of the Western Front that
night. No orders were given, no decisions were made ahead of time. It
just happened...
Something akin happened in Syria yesterday. God wants us to understand that we are to Love our brothers and sisters, that violence is not the answer, and that laughter is a much sweeter sound than war.
Perhaps we all need to let the child inside us out to play more often.
Reflected in the purity and playfulness of dancing snowflakes...
May God's Love and Mercy prevail.
Always!
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