A Forgotten Christmas Lesson from World War I  

As I scan the news today, it is impossible not to notice the deep division and hateful rhetoric that seem to dominate our public life. The divisions in our country—and around the world—appear to be growing worse with each passing day.

While reflecting on this, I was reminded of a remarkable story that took place during Christmas in the midst of World War I. It is a story so extraordinary that it is still remembered today and was formally commemorated in 2014, one hundred years after it occurred.

This story reveals something essential about human nature: that beneath politics, ideologies, and uniforms, there is a shared humanity. Most people do not truly want to kill one another. Most of us simply want to live in peace. The event also made such an impression that military commanders on both sides were determined it would never happen again.

That event is known as the Christmas Truce of 1914.

The Christmas Truce was an unofficial ceasefire that occurred along parts of the Western Front during World War I. Only months into the war, trench warfare had already set in. Soldiers endured brutal conditions—mud, cold, disease, and the constant threat of death. Yet as Christmas approached, something unexpected happened. Across several sectors, a spontaneous spirit of goodwill emerged.

On Christmas Eve, German soldiers began singing carols and placing Christmas trees along their trench lines. British troops responded with songs of their own. Soon, greetings and messages were exchanged across no man’s land. On Christmas Day, soldiers cautiously climbed out of their trenches and met one another in the open ground between them.

There, enemies became momentary neighbors. They exchanged small gifts, shared food, sang carols, and in some areas even held joint burial services for fallen comrades. Perhaps the most famous images from the truce are the reported football matches played between British and German soldiers—simple games that symbolized peace in the midst of unimaginable violence.

The truce was never officially approved by military leadership. In fact, many commanders feared it undermined the fighting spirit. Orders were quickly issued to prevent anything like it from happening again. As the war dragged on and grew increasingly brutal, such moments of peace became rare.

Yet the Christmas Truce remains one of the most poignant symbols of humanity during one of history’s most devastating conflicts. It reminds us that even in the darkest times, compassion and understanding can break through.

The truce has been remembered through memorials, books, music, and films, securing its place in the collective memory of World War I. Its centennial in 2014 prompted renewed reflection on its meaning and significance.

This remarkable moment continues to resonate as a powerful reminder of what is possible when we recognize our shared humanity—even amid war.

As we approach Christmas Day, let us remember that on this day a child was born, bringing peace and goodwill toward men.

Merry Christmas,

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