Christmas eve is upon us. The day was sunny -- the first clear, sunny day in a very long time. The skies were clear into the evening, so the planets were visible in the sky, just not when they were the closest in centuries earlier this week. Final preparations for tomorrow were completed. Gifts wrapped. Vegetable dish cooked and delivered. A glass of wine with a good friend.
A theme of this time of year deals with peace -- both inner peace and freedom from conflict in the world around us. While introspection has been a major part of the past 9 months of semi-isolation, the struggle of acceptance makes inner peace less common. There are moments of great hope and peace, though. The year has not been all bad, though it has had more difficulty than usual. A favourite quote of mine about peace contains much hope, as well. It is from Anton Chekov's play Uncle Vanya. It is my wish for each of you.
We shall find peace.
We shall hear angels.
We shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds.
When I think of peace, the Christmas truce of 1914 comes to mind. Along the Western Front, French, British and German soldiers left their trenches. In some areas this was only to retrieve bodies, while in others they sang Christmas carols, played soccer, chatted and exchanged souvenirs. This was not a sanctioned truce, as the Pope had hoped would occur, but rather a spontaneous and localized decision between soldiers on both sides of no man's land.
The song chosen for today deals with the break in fighting during World War I. Some of the phrasing is a bit overstated for the size of the truce, but the gist of the story is true. Stay safe. Enjoy!
It Could Happen Again -- Colin Raye
-- peace -- Chekov quote and WWI story and song
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