Joyeux Noël (Merry Christmas), tells the story (based on actual events) of a group of soldiers from Germany, France and Scotland who live and fight in the trenches during World War I. On Christmas Eve of 1914 - during one of the most profoundly beautiful scenes in the film - the Scots begin to play their bagpipes in their trench. After they finished their song, one of the Germans, began to sing a Christmas tune. After he was finished, he grabbed a small Christmas tree, climbed out of the trench into the open battle field and, walking towards the Scots and the French, began to sing another Christmas song. The Scots joined in with the German soldier with their bagpipes, and after the song had ended, all sides erupted in applause. This night began a strange friendship between supposed enemies. They played football with each other on Christmas day, shared champagne, chocolate and laughter with one another. Germans swapped addresses with the French and Scots so that when the war was over they could visit each other.
I could have shown this film on Saturday night at Aqueous instead of speaking as we talked about Paul’s letter to the Philippians where he writes: “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves…”.
Joyeux Noël is a great film, and although a tad slow in pace, it makes up for it with its heart and passion and profound ending.
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Strange. This past Saturday, my kids looked at the calendar and read, “Veterans Day. And Remembrance Day. What’s the difference?” So we spoke of World War I, about the stupidity of war, and strange the events of that curious Christmas.