From mrspencil - an unusual and memorable Christmas celebration.

25 December 1914, Somewhere In France

My dear Holmes,

The most remarkable thing has happened on the front, old friend, and I find my faith restored in humanity, even as the war erodes at my soul. For weeks, the front has become more and more dangerous as each side clings to their territory. I have done my best to tend to my men, but no-man's land is a dangerous place, and frequently my commanding officers fight my leaving the trenches to reach the fallen. My limp will get me killed, they say, and they can't lose my hands. In truth, we need another medic, but there are too few medical men on the frontlines already. We simply must make due with my bad leg and aging body.

Last night was Christmas Eve. All I could think about were Violet and my children, and you alone at home. How I wished to be with you all, reading Luke and eating Christmas pudding! At first, I thought I was imagining the sounds of cheer in the distance. Then one of my men came running and told me to look over the trench. The Germans were decorating their side with such holly and baubles they could find, lighting candles on their trees, and then, Holmes, they began to sing Christmas carols. They looked so young and fresh, smiling and laughing with each other, and I scarcely realized when I began to sing to the same tune in our own tongue. I saw a young German's head snap my way, and he gestured to his comrades, who smiled at me and sang louder. Around me, my men joined in, and we all sang together in harmony. Occasionally, we had heard the other side singing before, and joined in quietly, but never had we all communed together in such peace.

We all stopped together, and then a heavily accented voice shouted out, "Merry Christmas, comrades!"

"Merry Christmas!" We shouted back.

The Germans huddled together for a moment, and then one stepped forward, waving a white flag. "We wish to call a truce on this night!" he shouted.

We turned to our commanding sergeant, who looked thoughtful. "I am going up," he said, and he climbed out of the trench, hands up. I cannot imagine his courage, crossing no-man's land, where a German sniper so minded could have killed him in a second.

They spoke for a while, and finally shook hands. Our officer came back, and said, "We are at truce. Come out, men, and be merry."

We all cautiously climbed out of the trench, and drew deeper into no-man's land, and the Germans did the same. At first, we were quiet, then suddenly, we were all men, all friends, celebrating Christ. We sang together and talked. I spoke to a young German medic about his methods in his country, and we lamented our lack of reliable supplies on the front. He even taught me a little German. We heard no artillery fire, even in the distance, just our merriment. We all began to swap small gifts. I myself traded my tobacco for a warm scarf, and a pair of socks for some chocolate. The men even mixed and played games of football, frolicking like college boys. I had to smile, thinking of my own youth.

The night grew somber for a moment, when we agreed to allow each side to collect their dead and have a joint burial ceremony commemorating our fallen friends. Germans helped bury Englishmen, and Englishmen helped bury Germans. We all mourned together, and a soldier who had some clerical training gave a collective eulogy and prayer under the starlight. We stood shoulder to shoulder, heads bowed, and when it was done, we sang "Silent Night," and the soldier gave us a makeshift Christmas mass. When he finished, we lingered together, drinking and talking, until finally, we returned to our separate trenches. Soon, the war will resume, and we will have to savagely attack our fellow man again. But not tonight. Tonight, I found the spirit of Christ and love in these men who are supposedly so different from us, and I am grateful to have seen their humanity. God bless them, every one, as well as his English children.

I miss you all dearly, and I hope you have had a wonderful Christmas. Who knows when this letter will reach you, but I am more than fine on this Christmas morning. I will do my best to remain so. Take care of Vi and the children, and of course, yourself, or I shall have to scold you terribly when I return.

Merry Christmas, old boy, and a happy New Year.

Sincerely yours,

Watson

This story is entirely true (minus Watson's presence, of course). On Christmas Eve, 1914, most of the front line had an informal peace agreement, and the two sides celebrated together.

Merry Christmas, all! I hope you all had a glorious day.