For anybody who enjoys Christmas...

[mattwilson]

I was on a website and was looking up Christmas stories and found one that was really cool, it took place in WW1


"SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT"

During World War I, in the winter of 1914, on the battlefields of Flanders, one of the most unusual events in all of human history took place. The Germans had been in a fierce battle with the British and French. Both sides were dug in, safe in muddy, man-made trenches six to eight feet deep that seemed to stretch forever.

All of a sudden, German troops began to put small Christmas trees, lit with candles, outside of their trenches. Then, they began to sing songs. Across the way, in the "no man's land" between them, came songs from the British and French troops. Incredibly, many of the Germans, who had worked in England before the war, were able to speak good enough English to propose a "Christmas" truce.

The British and French troops, all along the miles of trenches, accepted. In a few places, allied troops fired at the Germans as they climbed out of their trenches. But the Germans were persistent and Christmas would be celebrated even under the threat of impending death.

According to Stanley Weintraub, who wrote about this event in his book, Silent Night, "signboards arose up and down the trenches in a variety of shapes. They were usually in English, or - from the Germans - in fractured English. Rightly, the Germans assumed that the other side could not read traditional gothic lettering, and that few English understood spoken German. 'YOU NO FIGHT, WE NO FIGHT' was the most frequently employed German message. Some British units improvised 'MERRY CHRISTMAS' banners and waited for a response. More placards on both sides popped up."

A spontaneous truce resulted. Soldiers left their trenches, meeting in the middle to shake hands. The first order of business was to bury the dead who had been previously unreachable because of the conflict. Then, they exchanged gifts. Chocolate cake, cognac, postcards, newspapers, tobacco. In a few places, along the trenches, soldiers exchanged rifles for soccer balls and began to play games.

It didn't last forever. In fact, some of the generals didn't like it at all and commanded their troops to resume shooting at each other. After all, they were in a war. Soldiers eventually did resume shooting at each other. But only after, in a number of cases, a few days of wasting rounds of ammunition shooting at stars in the sky instead of soldiers in the opposing army across the field.

For a few precious moments there was peace on earth good will toward men. All because the focus was on Christmas. Happens every time. There's something about Christmas that changes people. It happened over 2000 years ago in a little town called Bethlehem. It's been happening over and over again down through the years of time.

[JollyRoger227]

Christmas brings out the good in people

(ATTN: President Bush is starting his speech now about his new plans, in case anyone else wants to hear the bullshit straight from Bush himself.)

[Bliz-NATI]

Thats the christmas spirit. I definately enjoy the holidays! I gotta get some christmas headies lined up or something...

[whitewarrior]

Ahhhh I love Christmas, I've got a fag nug of dank sitting right next to me!

[PrimaryLotus]

I wish I could get some xmas headies. My guy only gets mids, and sometimes dro.

[Blaze_It_Up420]

Haha, it is a good story. Even in the time of war human feelings and compassion can outwiegh it.

I've heard this 2-3 times in history classes.

[IGotTheCottons]

This was my first time reading that story... Warmed my heart it did. +Rep

[JollyRoger227]

I just watched it on the history channel It was awesome what they did that day, terrible that they started up the fighting again thou, my great grampa was over there fighting in that war