A Christmas truce?

What’s old should be new again. Let’s bring back the Christmas truce of 1914.

In 1914 amidst bloody trench warfare on the Western Front of World War I, camped out in the bitter cold of December in Germany, units of French, German and British troops stopped fighting and emerged from their trenches and crossed into No-Man’s Land to participate in friendly seasonal greetings and conversations and even exchanging gifts and food on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.


These cessations of bloodshed were not planned, coordinated or even acknowledged by higher authorities. In fact, in following years, commanders strictly forbade truces of any kind.


In a time of extraordinary political and physical conflict, violence and national tensions at a fever pitch, individual men — many far from home and likely fearing their lives — made the courageously simple decision to stop fighting. It was Christmas — a time to celebrate the birth of the Savior of Man — or, at the very least, a time for “peace on earth, goodwill among men.”


The larger powers and geopolitical considerations meant nothing to the kind of brotherhood forged by war. At the end of the day, each man was just a fellow soldier; each man deserved a Christmas at peace.


If troops at war could stop the shedding of blood for a Christmas reprieve, can’t we, as Americans, as global citizens, take this season as a chance to lay down our metaphorical arms of insults, “us vs. them” mentalities and prejudices to create our own slice of peace in the midst of fighting? Civility could be found in the most uncivilized of circumstances – war. Movies may give a little too much weight to the phantasmagorical magic of the Christmas season, but this season of joy and peace can have a transformative effect if we let it into our hearts.


Not to be forgotten are other holidays this time of year. Here in the United States we remember our founding by religious dissenters and the traditional story of the First Americans who helped them harness the natural blessings of this land every November. This season of thankfulness should naturally usher in a season of peace and joy and goodwill. How can one not be optimistic when she is remembering her blessings?


Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa all stress the importance of remembering one’s heritage, gratitude, unity and faith.


Politically, here in the United States, we’ve just left midterm season, a time which surely brings out the worst in both candidates and their supporters alike. In January, the victors will be sworn in and begin serving as our new leaders.


This is the perfect time for a pause. Allow the peace, joy and goodwill of the season to enter your heart and affect your actions. Our leaders may not model this, even during the holidays, but we can take it upon themselves to be those brave soldiers for peace on that bitter night in 1914.