On December 24th, 1914, German soldiers in their trenches on the Western Front started decorating for Christmas. They used what they could find for decorations and lit candles, as well. When they started singing carols, the British forces opposing them began to sing. Silent Night, it seems, is universal.
Soon, gift exchanges began amongst the combatants. Football matches were organized, along with burials for the dead that littered the no-mans-land between the trenches. Apparently, at least one of the burials was attended by soldiers from each side. The truce lasted 24 hours in some places, up to a week in others. There was another truce the following Christmas and again during Easter of 1916, despite the determination of ranking military officials that they would not take place.
If things get a little hectic for you during the holidays, just think about those soldiers, British and German. If they could figure out a way to celebrate Christmas peacefully in the middle of a war-zone, I imagine we can figure out a way to muddle through it in the suburbs.
I'll be taking a Christmas break of sorts over the next few days. We're traveling to visit family and friends in Louisiana (I need to thaw out). Stay safe and warm over the holidays. I'll be back before you know it.
Merry Christmas, everyone, and a very Happy New Year.
Thank you for sharing - I did not know about this - so very interesting!
Posted by: Cathy | December 26, 2007 at 04:24 AM
Silent Night was writen by an Austrian (German). Apparently now it is sung in 300 different languages. Every time I hear or sing silent night I think of the info you posted above which I learnt as a kid from my dad and I have to fight back tears. Man's inhumanity to man makes countless millions mourn! At least this was a glimps of true humanity!
Posted by: Aussie Kim | December 26, 2007 at 06:09 AM