Thank you for visiting Life and Random Thinking today. – David
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After another freezing night, sleeping outdoors in a trench and wishing they were anywhere but where they were, the German soldiers stood up, and were instantly vulnerable to being shot in the winter’s dawn light.
Unarmed, and without the assurance of an official cease-fire the German men took brave steps towards the enemy’s trenches and they did so unarmed.
Calling out “Merry Christmas” in the enemy’s native language the Germans initiated the interlude of peace between warring nations on Christmas Eve 1914.
I am sure the Allied soldiers were worried it was a trick for an ambush but with hope and probably amazement they climbed out of their trenches and met the Germans in “no-man’s land” which was the space between the opposing trenches.
How strange, how amazing to have been a spectator that day. Dirty men from opposing sides in uniform singing carols, sharing food and even a good-natured soccer game.
For a moment of time the mortal enemies put down their guns because of Christmas. It was also an opportunity to retrieve their dead comrades whose bodies were in the no-man’s land and to be able so without fear of joining them in dying.
The war was relatively young, only five months into the outbreak so perhaps that helped, but this little miracle was never repeated again in World War 1 or in World War 2.
For a brief time the light of the Christmas spirit pushed away the darkness of war, and it is amazing for me to imagine.
Both sides were unarmed and risking their lives and what an amazing celebration, and inspiration for the world. Read more by clicking here.
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“Blessed are the peacemakers”
I learned at a young age how hard it is to reach out and apologize, but I also learned what a good feeling it was to be forgiven. I never forgot that feeling.
My best friend and I had had an arguement. We lived next door to each other, and I don’t remember the details. I do remember how good it felt to be friends again.
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Thank for visiting, I appreciate all the visits to my posts, and it’s a real pleasure to visit many of my readers blogs also. – David
Life and Random Thinking 
This is such an amazing story!
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It is hard to envision. I am glad you enjoyed it. -David
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This is such a perfectly timed reminder to all of us that we can ‘put down our arms’ and join as one for a greater good! Thank you for sharing this!
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Hugs!
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An amazing event that reminds us that we are human after all.
Sometime ago I wrote a short story around this event, you may wish to read it.
https://jplmcewan.wordpress.com/short-story-list/the-lady-in-the-bauble/
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Thank you James- I will head over now. I sometimes find posts similar to my own also.
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I saw that movie 💕
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What’s it called? 👍🌷🌷
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I think it might be Joyeux Noel .
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I think you are right. I will see where I can watch it. Thank you very much
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If that’s the right one , it was good. Merry Christmas!
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Merry Christmas 🎄💛
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I love the story of the Christmas truce. It must have been hard to go back to fighting having put a face on the “enemy.” That is why the officers didn’t want it to happen. The soldiers were more alike than different.
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I believe that the troops were close enough to hear the German soldiers singing Silent Night. I think hearing those voices must have humanized the germans and helped the temporary truce.
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