Youth Voice – Shining Christmas hope on community

Christmas is fast approaching and with it comes the familiar sights, sounds, and traditions of the season. We’ll brace ourselves for the usual corny Christmas cracker jokes, indulge in the deliciousness of Christmas cake, and give thanks to our thoughtful Coastie neighbours for their spectacular Christmas light displays. There’s something truly special in the air, that brings plenty of joy, and peace abounding near.

As we look forward to the celebrations of Christmas 2024, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on a remarkable moment from Christmas over a century ago. In 1914, amidst the horrors of the first World War, an extraordinary event occurred on the Western Front. After months of relentless trench warfare, soldiers from both the British and German forces spontaneously declared a ceasefire on Christmas Eve. Despite the ongoing brutality of war, men climbed out of their trenches and crossed into no-man’s-land. They exchanged greetings, shared cigarettes, told jokes, and even played football together, celebrating as brothers, not enemies.

How is it that, even in the dark depths of war, peace prevails and enemies are united during the season of Christmas? What is in the Christmastime air? 

In Christian tradition, Advent is a time of preparation – a season leading up to Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ that focuses on themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. These four themes, celebrated each week in Advent, offer a beautiful contrast to the often fast-paced, consumer-driven world around us. It’s a reminder that Christmas is not about the quick flash of a credit card, or the stress of last-minute shopping, but about something deeper. 

Fast forward to Christmas 2024, and unfortunately, the world still faces many conflicts. Wars rage on in different corners of the globe, affecting millions of lives. On the Hibiscus Coast in little New Zealand, we couldn’t get much further away from these devastating conflicts. This reflection isn’t meant to induce guilt, but rather to spark hope – a hope that the unifying spirit of Christmas, like the one experienced during the Christmas truce of 1914, can find its way into our lives today, even in small ways.

So as we take the final days to prepare for Christmas, it might be too big an ask to come up with quick solutions to address the plights of our distant neighbours. However, we can extend the same Christmas spirit of peace and joy to those around us who share our streets, schools and supermarkets. 

Could it be the opportunity to swap unforgiveness for generous love to a family member or friend? Or share from a space of plenty, a gift to a struggling neighbour or stranger? Or perhaps exchange projecting a moment of stress induced Christmas shopping despair onto a shopping assistant, with relaxed joyful and encouraging Christmas cheer? 

With all that said, dear Coasties, may you have a wonderful Christmas filled with an abundance of peace and joy, and bring on the great summer adventures as we head into the new year!