Christmas Truce

[Toki Bloodaxe]

     I don't often post on this forum, that's true. I think that I am content to let Lady DeLaney keep me informed as to what is going on and what is said. I feel compelled now, though, to share something with everyone on here as the broader topic of my discussion concerns us all this Christmas Eve. I just watched a documentary on the History Channel entitled "The Christmas Truce". It was an event that took place on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day back in 1914, when the Great War was just getting started and few people could even imagine the scope of destruction that was to come. On Christmas Eve of that year, in the trenches near Ypres in Belgium, British soldiers heard a curious sound emmanating from the German trenches opposite them, just across no-mans-land. It appeared to be the sound of singing-and more importantly, the sound of Christmas carols being sung. The British didn't know what to make of this. Was it some sort of trick to lure them into lowering their guard? Were the Germans all drunk at the time and should the British then attack? No one knew what to do. But, eventually, the British began to sing their own Christmas carols, which sounded suspiciously like the German's version, just in a different language. The singing went on for some time and shouts of Merry Christmas! and Weil Heilnachten! went back and forth across the lines.
     As the morning dawned on a Christmas Day, the British soldiers were met by a curious sight. A lone German soldier was approaching their lines, walking across no-mans-land. He brandished no rifle, but rather a small evergreen tree with a few lit candles on it and some bits of tinsel hanging from the branches. The British didn't know what to make of this sight at all. Christmas trees were something more of a continental European tradition in those days and were not so common in Britain. The British had seen lights in the German trenches the night before, but hadn't know what they could be. Now, the meaning became clear-the Germans had Christmas trees over there and were celebrating Christmas in the traditional way. And, this morning, a very brave lone German wanted to bring a bit of Holiday cheer and good will to the British in the form of his own courageously-unarmed person bearing a Christmas tree.
     The British soldiers could have fired on the German. I bet many wanted to-animosities being what they are-and the blood tide of war engulfing everyone. But they didn't. They let the tree-bearing German come forward to their trench and plant the tree nearby and then wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. This lone German was soon followed by other un-armed Germans, some bearing gifts of food and tobacco. One, by one, the British soldiers, officers and non-coms alike climbed out of their trenches and warily approached the German soldiers. It took some time to overcome the natural inclination to distrust the "enemy" , but eventually, the British approached and shook hands all around, wishing all present a Merry Christmas. Gifts were exchanged then and much conversation took place amongst the gathered troops. Some soldiers found out that they had known each other years before, or had the same friends. Some found out that they had worked near each other or had relatives in common. Still other soldiers realized that the guy in the trench opposite them really wasn't so different from him. In fact he seemed like a brother in many cases...sharing the same hardships of trench life-the same lousy food, suffering in the weather, experiencing the fear of death and acute homesickness.
     The Christmas Truce progressed in many places up and down the lines. True, some battles were fought that day.  But, in many parts of the front, peace reigned as troops from both sides comingled in the areas between the trenches. It was truely a Christmas miracle (not the kind you see on television starring washed-up actors). And, it was a truce that lasted all day. The two sides got a chance to finally bury the dead that had lain for months in the no-mans-land. Often German troops were buried with a British Chaplain conducting the service, and sometimes British troops were presided over by a German service. It didn't seem to matter too much who said the words. After all, its the very same God in all the languages and peoples doing the receiving....right? Finally, the honored and mouned dead were laid to rest as they should be.
     A soccer ball was tossed about and a German officer refereed the game. (The German's won.) Much fun was made of the Scottish Regiment's kilts by the Germans, as the Scots wore nothing under their gear and took to mooning the German players when goals were scored. Chocolate, tobacco, bits of uniforms and correspondence were exchanged between the two sides. The British soldiers had an abundance of English Jam. The Germans had Turkish tobacco and chocolate. Each side needed warm clothing. Gifts were exchanged in the true Christmas spirit of giving. It couldn't last though.
     The High Commands of both sides issued orders that made fraternization with the enemy under any and all circumstances equitable to high treason. And soldiers were warned that any sort of exchange with the enemy would be severely punished. The troops returned to their own lines the night of Christmas Day and wondered what the next day would bring....more war and violence, or lasting peace. Anyone who has ever read a book about the Great War Knows the answer to that question.
     War continued for four more horrible years and countless millions died and suffered. The Christmas Truce of 1914 was forgotten and the ideals of peace and brotherhood were pushed aside in favor of institutionalized hate (that which we all suffer from still today). The True meaning of the Christian Christmas, whenever it really took place, is that Jesus came into this world to show us that we could be better as a race. We could put aside the age-old hates that seem to preoccupy our lives and only serve to bring us ruin in the end. We could rise above this and love each other and care for each other-that love given is often love returned. And people all over, of different countries and languages, could find the desire for peace and harmony as one thing they have in common.  Now, as this country is involved with two wars and our brave men and women are serving in dangerous places far from home, away from their families and loved ones this Christmas season, I think that we should take a long hard look inside ourselves and contemplate the importance of rising above the animosities that seem to rule our emotions. Those Soldiers of long-ago 1914 managed to do it in the face of the most brutal of conflicts. Surely, it cannot be that hard even now after all that has happened to us as people. I have both the blood of the Germans and the British flowing through my veins. As I do the blood of the Native Americans and the European immigrants. I find that I have so much in common with both and many. I, too, have the desire for peace and goodwill amongst men and women all over the world. It starts within our hearts and takes a first step with our courage, like that long-ago German soldier bearing a Christmas tree, his heart on his sleeve, wanting to make peace with his "enemy". 

[Demetrius]

Thanks Toki!

There is a wonderful movie about this occurance (I can't think of the name right now).

Peace, and Merry Christmas everyone! 

[Toki Bloodaxe]

Hi, Demetrius. The film is called "Joyeau Noel". It is a French/German co-production and stars Dian Kruger and Benno Furmann, as well as several excellent British actors. It is an excellent film and very, very emotionally moving. Definitely well- worth the renting any time of the year.    Thanks... Blessed Peace to you and yours also.....Toki

[The Professor]

I put that story into my (unpublished) novel about the Great War.

For a brief moment, sanity and human decency struggled to break free of the madness...

On the other hand, let us not forget General Washington's day-AFTER-Christmas surprise to a bunch of German mercenaries at Trenton...

Best!

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

I don't usually read the Colorado thread, but the title caught my eye.  Thank you for posting that, Toki.  It is a story we all should remember, but alas, too much of the time it's forgotten.

I think it's really scary to what extremes hatred will make a person go, and what it will make him/her do. 

[blondekarma]

Slightly late (as usual) but thank you for sharing the story Toki.    It's always nice to spread the Holiday Spirit- I have a feeling this year is particularly special and it will be that much more important for each of us to keep this love and hope in our hearts throughout the entire year. 

Infinite Blessings and Best Wishes for All!
~Leah