A Hopeful Christmas Story

by Jordan Hernandez | December 2020

“No Man’s Land, 1914:  English & German soldiers drop their guns and do something that no one believed possible.”

“How on earth could this happen during war…”

During times of war, reconciliation is a rarity among countries that find themselves on opposite sides of the trenches. In the winter of 1914, The First World War was in its early stage as almost a million soldiers were reported wounded or killed. The term “No Man’s Land” is an area between groups that is unoccupied or under dispute between forces due to fear or uncertainty. This area of “uncertainty” exists between armies, but unfortunately can be found in and between families that are at odds with themselves. 

“The hope of Reconciliation is born during the holiday season. This hope of healing creates surprising actions.”

Arduous battles between the British and German forces took place on the Western Front of France. On Christmas Eve that year, soldiers galvanized themselves for yet another day of battle and bloodshed; however, something very different happened that day that could not be understood for decades to come. 

In the early morning of engagement, just before heavy combat would ensue, British soldiers made signs reading “Merry Christmas” and raised them above the trenches. Other soldiers began to sing Christmas carols that grew from a few British soldiers to a ubiquitous legion of melody that could be heard over the shooting {1}.

After a few songs, the gunshots began to soften on the enemy’s side and Christmas carols were heard coming from the German trenches. On December 25, 1914, both armies rose from their trenches and met in the area we know today as “No Man’s Land.” The soldiers continued to sing songs together, which also sparked conversation. According to diaries found later, many of the men journaled about exchanging cigars, sweets, and drinks. Eventually the soldiers huddled around a group playing soccer (pictured above). The next day, the unexpected truce between armies did not lift and… neither side could find the will to fire the first shot along the front. Isn’t it strange that just days before, these men were blind enemies, each side shooting into unknown trenches at unknown men?  Then, days later, they acted like brothers: singing, sharing, and laughing together.

After sitting on this, I found something rather surprising.… A presidential message of “hope” did not enhance the mutual grace and compassion that occurred between raging armies. Sloganeering from political parties did not, and often do not, bring together hurting families. Finding mutual ground in areas of uncertainty is what brings enemies together in a strange, and harmonious way.

I hope you find mutual ground with those around you this holiday season, and may you feel like the British and Germans did in the winter of 1914: surprised by commonality, surprised by forgiveness, surprised by joy. 

{1} Stanley Weintraub, Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce (New York: The Free Press, 2001)