A Christmas Truce
The year was 1914.
Although many believed they would be home by Christmas, the cold reality of trench warfare was quickly setting in.
All along the warfront, British and French troops held defensive lines against German troops.
Suddenly, without any warning, the enemy began to appear.
Instead of guns, they carried Christmas trees.
German soldiers started placing small evergreens lit with candles outside the trenches.
Unfamiliar with this German tradition, the allies didn't quite know what to make of this.
Although Christmas was celebrated by both sides, the concept of using Christmas trees to celebrate the occasion was something new to the British and French.
Having worked in England before the war, many Germans already spoke some degree of English and used that knowledge to create signs with messages like "YOU NO FIGHT, WE NO FIGHT".
Both British and French troops responded with improvised banners like "Merry Christmas" as Christmas carols were heard throughout the front.
Despite the threat of impending death, Germans started crossing the trenches.
Although some allies fired shots, they could not stop the enemy's advance.
Both sides began meeting outside the trenches as they shook hands and greeted their fellow brothers.
With reminders of war all around them, a timeout was called to bury those who had died outside the trenches.
After putting their fallen comrades to rest, soldiers exchanged gifts, ate cake and in some places, even played soccer.
Although many wanted to forget the horrors of war, outraged generals ordered their troops to resume fighting.
With great hesitation, soldiers fired their guns but not at each other.
For days after the event, ammunition was wasted on both sides firing at the sky.
The events of 1914 didn't put an end to hostilities and "the Great War" continued.
Although mankind could not resolve its differences, the events that transpired starting on Christmas Eve of that year showed us that even in the darkest of times; a greater connection holds us together and gives us purpose regardless of our differences.
Although many believed they would be home by Christmas, the cold reality of trench warfare was quickly setting in.
All along the warfront, British and French troops held defensive lines against German troops.
Suddenly, without any warning, the enemy began to appear.
Instead of guns, they carried Christmas trees.
German soldiers started placing small evergreens lit with candles outside the trenches.
Unfamiliar with this German tradition, the allies didn't quite know what to make of this.
Although Christmas was celebrated by both sides, the concept of using Christmas trees to celebrate the occasion was something new to the British and French.
Having worked in England before the war, many Germans already spoke some degree of English and used that knowledge to create signs with messages like "YOU NO FIGHT, WE NO FIGHT".
Both British and French troops responded with improvised banners like "Merry Christmas" as Christmas carols were heard throughout the front.
Despite the threat of impending death, Germans started crossing the trenches.
Although some allies fired shots, they could not stop the enemy's advance.
Both sides began meeting outside the trenches as they shook hands and greeted their fellow brothers.
With reminders of war all around them, a timeout was called to bury those who had died outside the trenches.
After putting their fallen comrades to rest, soldiers exchanged gifts, ate cake and in some places, even played soccer.
Although many wanted to forget the horrors of war, outraged generals ordered their troops to resume fighting.
With great hesitation, soldiers fired their guns but not at each other.
For days after the event, ammunition was wasted on both sides firing at the sky.
The events of 1914 didn't put an end to hostilities and "the Great War" continued.
Although mankind could not resolve its differences, the events that transpired starting on Christmas Eve of that year showed us that even in the darkest of times; a greater connection holds us together and gives us purpose regardless of our differences.
