…It was a bitter and freezing Christmas Eve in 1914 somewhere in Flanders. The snow was being driven by a cold icy wind as men huddled together in trenches to keep warm. So far from home and loved ones; no fires allowed for fear of revealing their positions – their generals safe and warm in chateaus many miles away. Forgotten by the politicians at home who cared only for their own future a victory could bring.
Next morning the large red disc of the sun greeted them as it rose in the east. The wind and snow had gone and was replaced by brilliant sunlight. Not a sound could be heard – not even the birds which had long since fled the bullets and smoke of the battlefield. A desolate and uncompromising landscape now revealed itself. Was this really Christmas Day? A far cry from a stable in Bethlehem; with the enemy just yards away waiting to kill or be killed. This must be some kind of cruel joke; a dream perhaps, void of reality.
A lone voice then began to sing…”Silent night, holy night…” Quickly, others joined in and before long it built into a crescendo. Amazingly, the voices did not just come from the British trenches but also the German lines. As they sang in unison a strong feeling of togetherness was apparent. Gone were the feelings of anger and hate for each other, to be replaced by a warmth and empathy.
A football was then kicked into the air in a moment of forgetfulness. Two men jumped out of their trench without a thought of danger, only to be met by two German soldiers. A football match then developed as others joined in. Was this really happening? After a few minutes reality dawned and the opposing teams hugged each other with feelings never felt before and returned to their respective trenches.
A moment of mad, unashamed bliss, preserved in the annals of history but truly a case of… ‘love your enemies’.
Copyright © Derek Dobson 1998