Using the movie “Joyeux Noel” as my source of reflection.

I realized

that one’s belief or faith is very important in our lives even though

we are at war. We thought most of the time that religion is one of

the main reasons why people are at war because of their different

belief that leads to division and conflict. But in this movie, I realized

that one’s faith can also lead to peace and unity even though in just

a very short period of time. Since we know that these soldiers were

just a victim of circumstances and ideologies of their superiors. I

was really touched to see in this movie a different horizon or

perspective in life. Even though this is just a movie but the message

was very strong and it really struck my heart especially during the

time when all of them started to sing a Christmas hymn and it is by

singing together that they were able to have ceasefire. Secondly,

how the cat will go back and forth from one side of the camp to

another. I realized that despite of war there is always a glimpse of

hope to build friendship with other people just like how these groups

of men were able to share something to each other. It also helps me

to understand the beauty of one’s faith even though you are in the
face of death. In my personal reflection, in order to maintain one’s

humanity and to respect an enemy’s humanity during the war the

person must not see his enemy different from himself. He must see

the person as a person that has someone waiting for them after the

war. One must not see the person as a number but a person that has

a soul, a dignity and a name. Just like how the priest looked at them.

The priest looked at them with sincere and caring heart. He was even

open to give his blessings for everyone who were present during the

Christmas Eve celebration and to give a final rite to the deceased

soldiers that is not only belong from their line. But it will not come

to these, if these four great men, the leaders from different troops

decided to have a ceasefire. It is also important not just to see the

importance of your comrades but also to see the importance of each

individual who are at war. It is very important to see them not with

hatred but with mercy since they were just both victims of

circumstances. If all of us knew how important it is to respect our

neighbors as ourselves, I believe that there is no space for war and

hatred in everyone’s heart but only peace. (Gilberto Bea)