On Christmas Eve, German troops began singing Silent Night. British troops, hearing the song, began singing with them. The next day, troops from both sides crossed into no man's land.

There, they shook hands, shared gifts, took pictures, and even played football. For a brief moment, there was peace. These truces occurred up and down the lines, over 100,000 men took part.

It occurred, not just on the Western Front, but on every front where the war was occurring. The higher-ups, fearing a permanent peace might result, immediately rotated new troops to the lines

and threatened severe punishment for fraternization, including executions, if the fighting was not resumed.

But for that one brief day, the power of an idea, the shared celebration of the birth of a baby almost 2000 years before held the fighting at bay and the true meaning of Christmas shone through.

In the words of an unknown British soldier “It is a great hope for future peace, when two great nations, hating each other as foes have seldom hated, should, on Christmas Day,

for all that the word implies, lay down their arms, exchange smokes, and wish each other happiness.”

In that spirit, Merry Christmas to all on my timeline.