Even during the worst of time, humanity can show itself, The Christmas Truce of WWI

rasputin1952

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Fri Dec-24-10 08:31 AM
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Even during the worst of time, humanity can show itself, The Christmas Truce of WWI

"In a place where bloodshed was nearly commonplace and mud and the enemy were fought with equal vigor, something surprising occurred on the front for Christmas in 1914. The men who lay shivering in the trenches embraced the Christmas spirit. In one of the truest acts of goodwill toward men, soldiers from both sides in the southern portion of the Ypres Salient set aside their weapons and hatred, if only temporarily, and met in No Man's Land."

<snip>

Even without a cessation of war for Christmas, family and friends of the soldiers wanted to make their loved ones' Christmas special. They sent packages filled with letters, warm clothing, food, cigarettes, and medications. Yet what especially made Christmas at the front seem like Christmas were the troves of small Christmas trees.
On Christmas Eve, many German soldiers put up Christmas trees, decorated with candles, on the parapets of their trenches. Hundreds of Christmas trees lighted the German trenches and although British soldiers could see the lights, it took them a few minutes to figure out what they were from. Could this be a trick? British soldiers were ordered not to fire but to watch them closely. Instead of trickery, the British soldiers heard many of the Germans celebrating.

<snip>

Many soldiers enjoyed meeting the un-seen enemy and were surprised to discover that they were more alike than he had thought. They talked, shared pictures, exchanged items such as buttons for food stuffs. An extreme example of the fraternization was a soccer game played in the middle of No Man's Land between the Bedfordshire Regiment and the Germans. A member of the Bedfordshire Regiment produced a ball and the large group of soldiers played until the ball was deflated when it hit a barbed wire entanglement.

This strange and unofficial truce lasted for several days, much to the dismay of the commanding officers. This amazing showing of Christmas cheer was never again repeated and as World War I progressed, the story of Christmas 1914 at the front became something of a legend."

http://history1900s.about.com/od/1910s/a/christmastruce.htm

British and German soldiers meeting in No Man's Land during the Christmas Truce of 1914.
Picture courtesy the National Army Museum.

Perhaps we can all learn a little something form this, all over the nation and the world. Christmas, whether one celebrates it or not, is a time when so many understand that Peace and Goodwill foster the better angels of our nature to rise up, humanity can accomplish so much more if we keep in our hearts the spirit of that Good Will to all.

I wish you all the best during this holiday season. May Peace and Prosperity be a part of your lives during this Season and into the New Year. Please, perform an act of random kindness, it just feels so good and the warmth is astounding.