True Christmas Miracle

True Christmas Miracle Huddled in muddy trenches, the soldiers heard an eerie sound. Troops were English, French & Belgians, and as they looked around, The sound was coming from the German enemy lines just 50 yards away. It was singing, and the German soldiers were approaching on that day. It was the twenty fourth of December nineteen fourteen. Between France and Belgium, The Western Front, was the scene. As Germans left their trenches a cry of “Merry Christmas” could be heard. Our solders could only watch without saying, even one word. The German solders looked so jovial, it didn’t seem to be a trick, Our soldiers hesitated, slowly coming out, their actions were not quick. Soon they were striding up to the oncoming soldiers, accepting their invite. The beautiful singing drew them in, even though they feared it wasn’t right. There was laughing and joking, and they all exchanged gifts sent from home. Seemed all men were the same, didn’t matter from where they roam. They smoked and showed each other photos of their children & wives. For a short time, they were comrades not one bit afraid for their lives. As night fell, drowned in soft moonlight, German carols filled the air. For the first time since the war began, each soldier felt comfort there. Laughter resounded, and the allies began O Come All Ye Faithful, in tune. Germans sang the same Hymn, in Latin Adeste Fideles, under the moon. I wonder if it crossed their minds “Just what are we fighting for?” How extraordinary, enemies singing together a carol in the middle of a war. By morning gifts of cake, smokes and clothes were exchanged by each side. Men chatting as a magician and a juggler were enjoyed, with eyes open wide. A barber in civilian life, gave haircuts. Soldiers had notes they addressed, Hoping to be taken to their loved ones in France and England in the west. Soccer broke out. The game went hours, that history making Christmas day. Soldiers on both sides spent time burying their comrades, to their dismay. Soldiers who had been killed in fighting that preceded that wonderful truce. A truce that should be an example of what we humans can willingly produce. A true show, that men aren’t killing machines, everyone, a husband or a son. A true Christmas Miracle from the bloody chapters of World War One. I first printed this when I wrote it in 2020. My first Christmas with Soup. Please continue to post it long after I am gone, for future readers to learn the truth of that fateful day. SV