Joyeux Noel Term Papers

Joyeux Noel is a historical fiction that captures the Great War ceasefire on Christmas, this event pushed the boundaries of war and nationalism. On Christmas Eve 1914 a Presbyterian Mass the held on the night of the cease fire, it was given to everyone Scots, Germans, French they all climbing out of their trenches and sang Christmas song. Palmer the Scottish clergyman who gave the Mass said “I sincerely believe that Our Lord Jesus Christ guided me in the most important Mass of my life.” At that moment he did not care about what side he was fighting for. It is apparent from the film that religion was the main driving force of the Scottish priest’s action and feelings. Palmer gave the Mass to all sides, because he believed it is the right thing to
do. He was led by his Lord to make the decisions he made.
That event opened his eyes to the truth about who they were fighting against, it showed him that they were all just humans. “Tonight, these men were drawn to that altar like it was a fire in the middle of winter. Even those who aren't devout came to warm themselves.” This night impacted how the rest of the war was fought, most of the soldiers wrote letters to their family about it. Once the Scottish side found out about what had happened they pulled Palmer off of the front line and was going to be sent back to Scotland. Palmer was confronted by the English bishop for giving the Mass on Christmas Eve, he was deemed a traitor for giving the Mass the the enemy. The English bishop then gave words to a group of soldiers that were going to replace the Scots that had been deemed traitors also. He said “Christ our Lord said, "Think not that I come to bring peace on earth. I come not to bring peace, but a sword."[...] You are the very defenders of civilization itself. The forces of good against the forces of evil. For this war is indeed a crusade! [...] In truth I tell you: the Germans do not act like us, neither do they think like us, for they are not, like us, children of
God. [...] you must kill the Germans, good or bad, young or old. Kill every one of them so that it won't have to be done again.” This scene showed how religion when use as a weapon can make humans commit moral crimes. Palmer knew that what the English bishop preacher was not what he thought was right. He kisses the crucifix he had on his chest and lays it down. This is symbolic because he thought the church was no longer operation morally and he had to abandon it.