“That we right here extremely resolve that these useless shall not have died in useless – that this nation, underneath God, shall have a brand new beginning of freedom–and that authorities of the folks, by the folks, for the folks, shall not perish from the earth.”
Abraham Lincoln delivered these highly effective phrases throughout the Gettysburg Tackle on November 19, 1863. Over 50,000 troopers had perished on the Gettysburg Battlefield, the place Lincoln gave his well-known speech. Their tragic deaths function a reminder that Americans fought in opposition to one another in a conflict so brutal and devastating that it virtually tore the nation aside.
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100 sixty years in the past, the Civil Conflict ended, however its rumblings and echoes have returned. As of late, it’s all too frequent for households and mates to be at odds with one another. Brother in opposition to brother. Daughter in opposition to mom. Greatest mates now not talking.
The political divide is rising wider by the day as folks on the Left and Proper develop into sworn enemies. All of the whereas, everyone seems to be on the identical large ship that’s headed for a large iceberg.
Peace within the Midst of Conflict
Whereas the Civil Conflict was described by many troopers as “Hell on Earth” and “a bloody nightmare,” there have been surprising moments of peace and humanity that occurred in the midst of the turmoil.
Christmas was a type of instances when the viciousness of conflict took a quick pause. A mysterious calm would wash throughout the entrance traces that no one may fairly clarify. Artillery hearth went silent as battle-weary troopers sang Christmas hymns and skim from their Bibles. It didn’t occur in all places, however when it did, there was a peace that surpassed all understanding, and a hope that at some point the bloodshed would finish.
These Christmas truces have been an attention-grabbing phenomenon that few historians discuss, however they have been additionally moments in time the place folks put apart their variations to concentrate on one thing that transcended conflict.
Christmas on the Rappahannock
Maybe essentially the most well-known Christmas truce throughout the Civil Conflict was the one which occurred after the bloody Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862. After this violent battle, the Union and Accomplice armies remained of their camps close to Fredericksburg, Virginia, throughout the Rappahannock River.
The frigid, unforgiving climate had taken a toll on the troops, and morale was at an all-time low. However as Christmas Eve approached, the environment in these depressing camps modified. Out of the blue and sporadically, troopers started interacting with their adversaries. In areas the place rival troopers may see one another throughout the river, some would shout a Christmas greeting. Others traded gadgets like espresso, tobacco, and meals. Moreover, there have been teams who gathered collectively across the heat of a hearth while singing Christmas carols.
In these uncommon moments of peace on the warfront, troopers shared tales and laughter. The stress and clamor of the conflict light away. Humanity returned as troopers celebrated the beginning of the last word peacemaker, Jesus Christ.
Hardship and Hope
Whereas these small truces weren’t widespread, they have been highly effective nonetheless. Letters from troopers reveal that although these males have been combating on reverse sides, they shared the identical hardships and losses. Most of all, they shared the hope that they might quickly return house to family members.
A chaplain on the Union aspect described his encounter with Accomplice troopers on Christmas Day. As he “paced alongside his designated fifty yards of the river financial institution with ‘moist toes, empty abdomen, and swollen nostril,’ one of many Rebs made contact together with his squad, asking if they’d something to commerce.” Quickly, this chaplain and his comrades “have been putting rations aboard little boats and rafts that had been improvised out of who-knows-what and despatched them throughout the Rappahannock.” Excited troopers grabbed the boats stuffed with espresso, sugar, or pork. The Confederates despatched again parched corn, Virginia tobacco, and persimmons. They referred to as out, “Merry Christmas, Johnny.” In return, the Rebels shouted, “Similar to you, Yank.”
The chaplain recollects, “We forgot the biting wind, the chilling chilly; we forgot these males over there have been our enemies, whom it is likely to be our obligation to shoot earlier than night…we have been brothers, not foes, waving salutations of good-will within the title of the Babe of Bethlehem.”
Jesus: The Prince of Peace
Discovering peace in instances of conflict is uncommon. Through the Civil Conflict, the division and hatred between Americans have been so nice that males discovered themselves combating their very own brothers. However Christmas supplied a time the place they might concentrate on the One who introduced peace to the earth and keep in mind His sacrifice on the cross that saved mankind from their sins.
It’s Christmas 2025, and most would agree that we’re experiencing a non secular civil conflict. Our nation is split on many fronts. Bullets of hatred and cannons of discord are erupting in all places. However even within the midst of our variations, we are able to discover methods to have peace with these we disagree with. Most significantly, we should always discover moments to share the gospel and the love of Jesus this season.
The troopers on the Rappahannock have been in the midst of a conflict, and so are we. However this can be a conflict for SOULS. There are two sides on this battlefield: the SAVED and the UNSAVED. Ultimately, we should keep in mind that the objective is to win souls for Jesus.
For God so beloved the world, that he gave his solely Son, that whoever believes in him shouldn’t perish however have everlasting life, John 3:16.
Lord Jesus, as we have a good time Your beginning and the present of everlasting life, we ask You to direct our ideas, actions, and prayers in relation to the non secular civil conflict that we live in. Assist us to see folks not as enemies, however somewhat alternatives for us to share Your love and the gospel of salvation.
Could the peace of Jesus Christ rule in your coronary heart this vacation season, and into the approaching yr!
The Christmas truces throughout the Civil Conflict have been uncommon however wonderful examples of how peace could be discovered even in instances of conflict. How are you seeing this play out in our world at the moment?
Angela Rodriguez is an writer, blogger, and former trainer who research the indicators of the instances, in addition to the historic and biblical connections between Israel and america. You’ll be able to go to her blogs at 67owls.com and 100trumpets.com. She can be the writer of Psalm 91: Underneath the Wings of Jesus and Hallelujah’s Nice Journey. Photograph Credit score: Thomas Nast, for Harper’s Weekly.
