I love my kids and wanted Christmas to be magical for them, but there was little magic in my heart.
I can accept that 2,000 years ago a holy man named Jesus was executed by the Romans in Judea. Whether or not he was the Son of God, sent to redeem the world, is not an issue I can answer. The whole God thing is logically infantile, yet the big guy actually spoke to me once, maybe twice, and did a couple of miracles, but that's another story. Let's just say that I am really ticked off at someone up there about the election.
Back to Christmas. Listening to endless Christmas carols trying to get in the holiday mood, I found myself humming along to Silent Night and thinking about WWI.
The English and the Germans were hunkered down in their trenches on Christmas eve. Across the battlefield the Brits heard their enemies singing Silent Night. And they answered. Together they sang other carols and then, slowly the men emerged from their trenches and crossed the battlefield. They shared chocolate and other treats. Someone produced a soccer ball. After that night, these soldiers refused to fight and had to be replaced.
Such a thing could never happen today. Christmas has lost its magic power to bring peace on earth thanks to George Bush and his fundementalist supporters.
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I don't remember when I first learn the story of the Christmas Truce, but it is well known. Google "Christmas Truce" and you'll find loads of information. Stanley Weintraub has written an excellent book about it.
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