Thinking

Winter is finally here. There are small snowflakes falling outside and there is ice on the deck. Christmas is approaching. Once more my thoughts turn to an isolated incident of World War One.
On Christmas day, both the British and Germans in one isolated section of the trenches, stopped firing at each other. They got out of the trenches and had a football game in No Man's Land. They exchanged chocolate and tea and displayed pictures of their families. At the end of the day, the horrible carnage resumed.
The next year, the British generals were so afraid that the incident would repeat itself, regulations were put into effect that would insure that the incident would not recur.
That horrible war was brought on by the death of a prince. It was the result of a myriad of secret diplomatic treaties. It was stopped for one day, to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if all the war we are involved in at the present could be stopped on the birthday of the Prince. He did later reference the fate of the Peacemakers. He met his fate at the hands of secular and religious leaders. They were afraid that He would give voice to the people and give them peace.
The leaders of his country were unable to deal with Him, so they made a deal with leaders from another country to prosecute Him. (How do you spell Wikileaks?).
The people of the world want peace. Someday their leaders are going to have to step aside and let them have it. Wouldn't it be a wonderful gift to the American people to receive for Christmas, the return of their sons and daughters from violent places of the world in which we have no damned business being in the first place.
Bad things have happened. Do we need to be enslaved by the policies of the past, or might we turn the other cheek and look forward to a future of Peace on Earth? It would certainly be a better birthday present than frankincense or myrrh.