In December of 1914 the Great War, as World War I was called, was still young. (The United States would not enter this war until early in 1917.) The young men fighting had entered the war with enthusiasm. But it was not long before the enthusiasm faded as they watched their friends and fellow countrymen perish. Armies were equipped with repeating rifles, machine guns and a large assortment of artillery, all which tore chunks out of both sides. To protect themselves against all of this, British, French and Belgian soldiers were ordered to dig trenches which were hastily and poorly constructed. In severe weather, as the winter of 1914 was, the trenches caved in or filled with water and/or snow. Unprepared to withstand the cold and rain, the soldiers found themselves in a freezing mire of mud.
Along the front the enemy was no more than thirty to seventy yards away, close enough that those on each side could shout and be heard by their opponent. The men at the front could see indications of civilization in this area. Although badly damaged, villages were still standing; fields, though pitted with shell-holes, were still recognizable as fields. Many soldiers were farmers, and recognized the residue of crops grown in those fields.
It was Christmas Eve. The German soldiers put Christmas trees in front of their trenches, lit by candle or lanterns. In the silence following the placement of the trees, a baritone voice clearly heard by both sides sang: Still nact, heilige nact . . . Although the words were strange to the British soldiers, the melody was not. One started to sing with the German enemy, followed by others on both sides; Silent Night, Holy Night, All is calm, All is bright…. Two different languages singing the same song. Soon these two groups of soldiers, enemies in a war not of their making, were harmonizing Christmas songs across No Man’s Land.
After the singing came invitations from both sides to come out of the trenches and visit. Hesitant at first, the soldiers started to come together in the field between their trenches. What were these young men thinking as they met their opponents who were as miserable as they were? No doubt there were men left in the trenches on both sides that had their rifles ready and aimed in case this was a trap. But it was not a trap. These were moments of rejoicing, of sharing of experiences, of celebrating Christmas as friends.
Was this Truce only a myth told to pacify families at home? Did it really occur? Apparently there have been diaries and papers written by men involved in this event, and there have been articles and books written contesting the pros and cons on the actuality of the story.
Whether it was a myth or an actual event, the story of The Christmas Truce does bring out the good will and peace that one feels at this time of the year. Perhaps, as we are busy finishing up our Christmas preparations, it would be good to reflect on those who are on the battlefield, fighting to preserve our freedoms as well as freedoms of others. And it might be a good idea to do some harmonizing with those around us, singing traditional Christmas songs.
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