12 Days of Cinematic Christmas #9: Joyeux Noel (2005)

Written & Directed by Christian Carion

Joyeux Noel, the war film by Christian Carion is a beautiful work of art set in the trenches of World War I, inspired by true events at the end of 1914. Through the eyes of combatants on either side, we see the celebration of Christmas amid the tragedy of war. This film, unlike the rest of the films on this list, may not be for all ages, but will certainly remain relevant to those of age through the ages.  

The film opens with scenes of patriotic optimism from both the allies and the Germans and swiftly dashes that optimism with depictions of the harsh reality of war.  The scenes become more hopeless leading up to Christmas, when each side begins singing Christmas carols.  

While hesitant at first, the trenches begin to volley back and forth different carols in different languages. This leads to an impromptu cease fire that turns into the individuals in the trenches getting to know each other.  They exchange gifts, show pictures and even play a game of soccer. As Christmas draws to a close, the realization that these new found friends will have to resume killing each other sets in. Some refuse to fight when the orders are given and are faced with discipline.  

Although the film makes a brief effort at the beginning to set the Church separate from peace amid devastation, the film faithfully shows a real Christmas Truce in 1914 during World War 1.  It shows the reality that man's best efforts at peace in our time requires and ends in massive worldwide suffering: the only true source of peace is trust in God.  The film shows this by sitting the audience directly next to individual combatants on both sides of the conflict and humanizing them.  The individuals have little to no personal stakes in the bloodshed and are put through hell for some countries' idea of peace or victory.  The soldiers are given an opportunity to put aside worldly patriotism and participate in The Holy Mass together in a beautiful scene.  

The film's relevance is only reinforced by the state of the modern world.  Most of the west lives in almost complete comfort, while bloody and senseless violence consumes parts of the world.  Joyeux Noel reminds us that partisan favor on any side of a conflict only perpetuates suffering.  The only true way to peace is through forgiveness and love, not revenge or hate.  It points us back to our true country, that of heaven, and calls for sacrifice of self in service of Christ.  

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8: 35-39)