The Christmas Truce of World War I

We close “Inspirations 2025” with a good news story from over 100 years ago – a Christmas Truce that momentarily gave the world hope in the early days of WWI. A story you may never have heard before. A story that today might cause us to reflect and might inspire us (and those who are our leaders) to reject all that suggests possible self-annihilation someday in the future, and instead envision a very different conclusion. As a handful of soldiers did ever-so-briefly 110 years ago. 

World War I is a stain on human history. Trench warfare assured soldiers the most intolerable conditions ever known in war. To stay alive amidst gunfire and artillery blasts, they had to endure the flooding of the trenches which brought sickness and death.

By the winter of 1914, the men on both sides no longer had the motivation to fight. Abhorrent conditions destroyed the morale of all of the troops. And the soldiers began to look the other way – which resulted in small, ‘unofficial armistices’ to avoid further bloodshed. In simple terms – this war that had literally dragged them through the trenches, had left almost all homesick. Many youngsters were spending their first holidays away from families and loved ones. They didn’t want to die. They wanted peace – just like all sane humans want and have wanted in every conflict the world has ever experienced.

Then something special happened on Christmas Eve of 1914. The rain stopped, the trenches dried and hardened, and commanders on both sides arranged to bring Christmas’ to the trenches. German and British troops received gifts from commanders and by mail from their families. Seeing this renewed hope come to the men, and concerned over possible fraternization between the troops, the British commander ordered the men to take on no unofficial armistices. But the troops refused to follow that order. They chose not to fight.

Filled with the Christmas spirit and cigarettes, chocolate, and other goodies from home, and enjoying the silently falling snow, the enemy soldiers rose above the madness of conflict and death to just see each other as who and what they were – fellow humans. Fellow citizens of the world who held the same dreams – and would never willingly kill another – but who were doing so under orders, in fear, to save their own lives by shooting at a faceless soldier from another nation. Andfor what reasons? Because their political and military leaders directed them to shoot and kill or maim the others who were called the ‘enemy.’

Today the world is again immersed in or on the verge of senseless wars on multiple fronts. None of the soldiers want to be there. They would rather be home with their families and friends, playing and joking around and engaged in love and levity. So why are they out there in ‘harm's way’ – supposedly hating others because of the religions professed or the nations of origin. Does that make any sense in and of itself? Or is it all because the world is void of good leaders, and is led instead by perhaps once-good people who have succumbed to flawed ideologies, a lust for power, and self-interests of those who somehow benefit from war. 

The Christmas Truce of 1914, the all too temporary beginning of the end of WWI, began when German troops decorated their trenches with lit Tannenbaum and sang the original Austrian version of Silent Night. This ethereal sound at first confused the British – until they recognized the tune. Sensing a competition, the British soldiers decided to try and drown out the Germans with their own version of the carol. This soon erupted into a synchronized chorus, which led a few men on both sides to pop their heads out of the trenches and wave their arms gleefully. They all began shouting the season’s greetings in their own languages – and an ‘unofficial truce’ was brokered for the next day – Christmas Day. 

The contagious spirit sprouted small miracles on all sides. 

A Bavarian unit held fire while the French conducted a Mass. 

French and Belgian units allowed each other to bury their dead. 

All firing ceased to allow a soloist from the Paris Opera to make a performance. 

British Indian troops launched their own Diwali celebrations and shared cigars with the Germans. 

On Christmas morning, the German and British soldiers came out of the trenches and enjoyed their momentary freedom. They exchanged gifts, conversed over their shared experiences, and even played games. 

Sadly the Christmas Truce of 1914 was short lived. Military leaders well behind the lines adamantly disapproved of the fraternization. And the war of the trenches was resumed. 

World War I continued for almost 4 more years after that 2014 momentary Christmas Truce. There was a staggering loss of life and limb, and mental scarring that would continue for the rest of the lives of many of the soldiers. Counting both military and civilian casualties, over 20 million perished, and another 20+ million were wounded. It was the deadliest conflict in human history.  WWI eventually ended with the signing of the Armistice of Compiègne on November 11, 1918. However, tragically the end of this horrific conflict planted the seeds for the more devastating WWII. 

Subsequent treaties, particularly the Treaty of Versailles signed on June 28, 1919, played a significant role in setting the stage for World War II – launched just two decades later.  WWII – a war in which over 70 million, or 3% of the world’s population, perished. And another 60 million were left homeless in cities and towns across Europe and Asia. 

Why did the end of WWI plant the seeds for WWII? The Treaty of Versailles which ended WWI imposed heavy reparations on Germany, leading to severe economic hardship and hyperinflation. The economic turmoil contributed to widespread unemployment and poverty, creating fertile ground for extremist ideologies. Germany lost significant territories, including Alsace-Lorraine to France and parts of Prussia to Poland. The treaty’s terms were seen as humiliating by many Germans, fostering resentment and a desire for revenge.

The new democratic government in Germany, the Weimar Republic, struggled with political instability and lack of broad support. Economic, political instability, and a void of strong and good leadership paved the way for the rise of the Nazi Party and Adolf Hitler, who promised to restore Germany’s former glory and overturn the Treaty of Versailles.

The League of Nations, established to maintain peace, was ineffective in preventing aggression by totalitarian regimes. The League lacked the power to enforce its resolutions, allowing countries like Germany, Italy, and Japan to pursue aggressive expansionist policies. Then the global economic depression of the 1930s hit and hit hard – further destabilizing countries across the globe, leading to increased militarism. Desperate economic conditions made extremist solutions more appealing to the masses.

These factors combined to create a volatile environment in which World War II became inevitable. The unresolved issues and grievances from World War I, coupled with economic and political instability, set the stage for the rise of totalitarianism and the outbreak of another devastating conflict. Oh, what might have been if the Christmas Truce in late 1914 had held – and forced the leaders to the table in search of common goals that might have united them.

War is ugly. Countless innocent lives are sacrificed to the bad judgements of incompetent and/or evil rulers – and extremist ideologies and cultural differences. The voices of the people are silenced by oppression. Fear and/or apathy often rule the day. We all weep. War is something no one in their right minds would ever wish for – not even upon their worst enemies.

Surely someday enlightened good leaders will emerge and find it in their hearts and in their wisdom to unite and call for ceasefires and diplomatic solutions. Maybe the likes of the 2014 ‘Christmas Truce’ might be allowed to flourish and be sustained. Perhaps someday we might learn to become warriors of love and wrap each other in a loving embrace. And we suggest that day must come soon – because the miracle of no nuclear attack in 80+ years is not a certainty to continue.

As we recall that momentary pause back in 1914, what about Christmas itself? Christmas has sort of  evolved beyond its original Christian roots. Yes, it’s true that Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. But it’s become a global phenomenon celebrated by people from all variations of cultural and religious backgrounds. We say that’s because the peoples of all faiths are united by Truth – UNIVERSAL TRUTH –  and moral values that are remarkably similar throughout our world of 8+ billion people – regardless of the faiths professed or the Name we give to our one Creator. 

Over many centuries, Christmas traditions have merged with local customs and folklore, making it a more inclusive and universal celebration. The 20th century turned Christmas into a massive retail event, with elements like Santa Claus, gift-giving, and decorations becoming widely popular. Films, music, and TV shows have made Christmas a part of global pop culture, further spreading its appeal. And today, the spirit of giving, family, and togetherness resonates with people everywhere, regardless of their religious beliefs. How about you? Regardless of your religion, what is your favorite part of Christmas and the message it carries?

In our first novel, Adam in Taoland, our hero and his bride Tariana interface with humans of all different shapes and sizes from throughout the Universe. See, we don’t believe that the tiny insignificant Planet Earth, one of let’s say trillions of planets, is the only one with intelligent human life. Do you? Which begs the question – do all these folks out there celebrate Christmas? Just askin’. 

In the second novel of our series, Homeland Rescued, Adam pushes for a kind of ‘Christmas Truce’ – a benevolent agreement between three regions on the edge of war when he returns to a place called Galtland in his homeland of Novana. A truce by another name of course, because there is no holiday called Christmas in Novana. Adam encourages all sides to put aside their differences and focus on the common goals and dreams that unite them. And they achieve peace.

We must never surrender hope in what so many of all faiths follow the Christmas spirit, by a variety of names. For if hope is lost, despair will most certainly fill the void. All we need to do is focus on the reality that while we profess various faiths, and we look and speak differently – in the end we are all the same. All we need to do is love and respect each other as children of the same Creator – and marvel about the differences of our births. Beyond this, let each of us dream dreams that never were, and then individually and collectively – go make them happen. Let us dream of a land of peace and opportunity and inner joy. And then let’s each do our tiny bits to move the world in that direction.