On the 8th Day of Christmas Past Re-cast…
Question: Today’s “Light the World” is to show appreciation to health care workers fighting in the trenches of Covid. What amazing thing happened to a different front-line, during Christmas in the trenches of World War I?
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President Spencer W. Kimball, before he ever became an apostle, related a Christmas story to Primary children about World War I. He said: “One Christmas during the World War, when no-man’s land between the trenches was white with snow, the troops in a certain ‘quiet sector’ began to exchange holiday greetings by means of crudely painted signs. A few minutes later, men who spoke German and men who spoke English were climbing from their trenches without guns and meeting on neutral ground to shake hands and exchange souvenirs, unmindful of war . . . Friends they were, not enemies, this Christmas day.”
It was Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 1914 – over 100 years ago, thousands of soldiers put down their rifles, stepped out of their trenches and spent Christmas mingling with their German enemies along the Western front. In the hundred years since, the event has been seen as a kind of miracle, a rare moment of peace just a few months into a war that would eventually claim over 15 million lives. Some two-thirds of troops — about 100,000 people — are believed to have participated in the legendary truce.
“First the Germans would sing one of their carols and then we would sing one of ours, until when we started up ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ the Germans immediately joined in singing the same hymn to the Latin words Adeste Fideles. And I thought, well, this is really a most extraordinary thing – two nations both singing the same carol in the middle of a war.”
Christmas morning, in some places, German soldiers emerged from their trenches, calling out “Merry Christmas” in English. Allied soldiers came out warily to greet them. In others, Germans held up signs reading “You no shoot, we no shoot.” Over the course of the day, troops exchanged gifts of cigarettes, food, buttons and hats. The Christmas truce also allowed both sides to finally bury their dead comrades, whose bodies had lain for weeks on “no man’s land,” the ground between opposing trenches.
The truce was widespread but not universal. Evidence suggests that in many places firing continued — and in at least two a truce was attempted but soldiers attempting to fraternize were shot by opposing forces.
Still, a century later, the truce has been remembered as a testament to the power of hope and humanity in a truly dark hour of history. Christmas, indeed, is the one time of the year when peace seems to be taken seriously. Despite the commercialism of the season, it truly transcends not only national borders, but also the borders of time, feelings and minds. Christmas has accumulated legends and rituals from throughout the world. There’s only one reason for such an amazing display of human goodness: the reason why Christmas is commemorated at all. If it did not have Christ at its center, it would long ago have vanished along with other ancient holidays.
Taken from:
Taken on 12/17/2017 from http://time.com/3643889/christmas-truce-1914/
Taken on 12/17/2017 from http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/christmas-truce-of-1914
The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 419 & 246.
The Prince of Peace , LDS Church News, 1995, 12/23/95 .
Christmas is a time for hope and humanity. They where in the middle of the war but were able to find peace if only for a day. We are all fighting different wars in our lives but we need to keep Christ at our center and we can also find peace.
It was amazing that at least for one day a truce could be had and enemies could be friendly.
Many from both sides of the trenches engaged in a Christmas truce. They exchanged small gifts, sang Christmas carols, and gave a chance to bury their dead comrades. I wish this Christmas Day we could have that same peace between politicians, nations and families! We need it now more than ever!!
A Christmas truce during the war is an example of how the light of Christ can witness the love of the Savior.
Christmas 1914, both English speaking and German speaking troops exchanged Christmas greetings with painted signs. Soon they left the trenches, shared Christmas carols and various small gifts – a temporary peace because of a shared belief in Christ.
This story illustrates the immense power of the Savior to touch hearts in any circumstances and turn them toward thoughts of brotherly love and peace.
Christmas inspires thoughts of peace. None of those soldiers wanted to fight on Christmas. For just a short time , they felt the peace that comes through the light of Christ.
The war was paused for just a while, to celebrate Christmas and share peace with their enemies. A good reminder that Christ ( or the season that celebrates him) is the only thing that truly brings peace.
This truce and uniting of foes for a length of time is all we dream of. That someday we can all climb out of our self imposed trenches and meet in no man’s land which is really Christ’s land of peace. Wouldn’t it be great if we could find this land here on the earth.
The cease fire was amazing…that opposing sides could come together with wishes of merry Christmas and humble gifts. I especially liked that they were able to finally bury their dead comrades. It was Christlike love entering their hearts and uniting them for a short time.
During World War I German speaking and English speaking troops had a truce on Christmas day. They exchanged small gifts and sang Christmas carols. Each side had the opportunity to bury their dead. It was a peaceful day for them all to enjoy.
When Christ is at the center of our lives even for a few moments as was here in the middle of a war. Peace and love can abound.
There was a truce called as both sides came out and met one another saying Merry Christmas, singing carols and exchanging gifts. While elsewhere when someone ventured out they would be shot by the other side.
In 1914 soldiers on opposite sides shared signs and Christmas greetings. They came out of the trenches and exchanged small gifts. They joined together for this short time to show their common love for Christmas and Christ.
Peace, there was peace in time of war. It happened through a Christmas Day only truce. The truce was widespread but not universal. This truce allowed both sides bury their dead comrades that were left in “no man’s land”. There was singing and exchanging of gifts between both sides.
This a beautiful story of soldiers putting aside their differences and becoming brothers for a day. Because of the baby Jesus, these enemies recognized the love of Christ. They opened their hearts and felt peace, joy, and even love.
The amazing thing that happened in this story is that troops engaged in war on the front line stopped fighting for one day, Christmas day. They sang, buried their dead and greeted each other. A miracle really, brought through Christ whose birth we celebrate.
I love this story. In 1914 during WWI, some of the American troops and some of the German troops were able to lay down their rifles and had a truce. They sang, they exchanged “gifts”, and they buried their dead. Christ is the center of our celebration. As we keep Him in our hearts, we can reach out to others and provide love and hope.
On Christmas Day during World War 1, weary British and German soldiers bravely crossed battle lines in hopes of some rest and celebration. Some soldiers who attempted this crossing were killed. The inspirational message comes from the experiences of those who crossed and enjoyed Christmas with those they would have called enemy.
A Christmas Truce was called and enemies put aside their differences to have a special day.