Christmas, a Blessing for Us All

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

The Christmas Parade participants wearing Santa Claus costumes distributed food to residents while walking around Salatiga City, Central Java, Saturday (12/22/2018).

On Christmas Eve 1914, the German and British forces in the trenches of World War I did something “crazy”. It was never clear who started it, but the two sides, without any fear of bullets, came out of their trenches, dropped their weapons and walked towards each other singing Christmas carols. Upon meeting, the soldiers hugged, smiled and said “Merry Christmas” to one another. The flames of enmity were extinguished and enemies became friends.

Unfortunately, the intimacy of that Christmas Eve was temporary. The commanders of both sides were furious and threatened to court-martial anyone who dared to show friendliness towards the enemy.