Christmas is a season of miracles. Miracles can happen anywhere, even in the heat of war.
On December 24, 1914, World War I soldiers were left cold and muddy on the front lines for the holiday. But, something amazing happened in Western Europe- something that truly exemplifies the sacredness of Christmas.
Men on both sides of the trenches started singing Christmas carols. The languages were different but the melodies were the same. This eventually led to enemy soldiers gathered together, exchanging gifts. The Christmas Truce was unlike anything else before or since.
Germany sent its soldiers with wooden boxes filled with cigars and sausages while Britain gave its soldiers brass boxes containing chocolate and tobacco. The soldiers who were at war with each other exchanged these treats as Christmas gifts.
The truce remained until Boxing Day, December 26th, but in some areas the truce held until the new year. Soldiers even wrote home about playing soccer with the very men they were previously trying to kill!
Commanders were worried that the goodwill would effect the resolve of the soldiers who saw the human side of their enemies. Troops that interacted with Germans during the Christmas Truce were removed from the front lines for this reason.
The History Channel discussed the Christmas Truce in the video below.
This didn’t happen the following Christmas as British commanders ordered artillery campaigns throughout the holiday in 1915 to avoid another truce. But, for one short time during a ruthless war, soldiers put down their weapons and celebrated Christ’s birth in a truly miraculous fashion. Remember that when you’re arguing with your in-laws on Christmas Day!
Share this if you believe in Christmas miracles!
H/T: First World War
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