Day 358 -- Peace on Earth

Christmas Eve -- a wonderful day of the year. Many families celebrate the holiday tonight, while others celebrate tomorrow. Ours will be a green and somewhat wet and windy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year with the storm that has been making its way up the eastern seaboard and across the eastern part of the continent. Hopefully, this won't impede travel too badly for those making their way home for the holidays.

Today is also an auspicious day in history. It is the centenary of the Christmas Truce of World War I. This informal truce occurred along the Western Front in 1914. German and Allied (British, Scottish, French) troops sang carols together and shared food, cigarettes, games of soccer and held joint burial services for those fallen in the space between the tranches. Some photographs and letters home survive to give us a first-hand description of the day -- the day before both sides were ordered back to the matter at hand -- war. I've found this story very heartening.  The Christmas spirit shone through to move men beyond the conflict, demonstrating the best of humanity.

Today when I woke, there was a song in my head, one that stayed throughout the day. When I was out walking, I realized what the song was <smile>. It speaks to a desire for peace. This is the first selection for today. The second selection contains similar sentiments. Note that this second song is fictional as it refers to a battle that occurred in June 1918; nonetheless, it evokes the feelings of peace on earth. Enjoy!

It could happen again -- Collin Raye

Belleau Wood -- Garth Brooks