Echoes of a Silent Night: The Christmas Miracle of 1914

In a hellish nightmare pit, soldiers stand... Along the Western Front's cruel, jagged land, Where blood and tears paint the earth's sad lore, They mourn their fallen with bitter taste, hearts torn. They heeded not the cries of pain, Nor smelled the putrid stench of death’s domain, They bore the scourge of gas and flame, And shunned the flying wrench, its touch a bane... They dwelt in squalor with hearts despair And prayed in ernest for home and peace. They questioned if they'd ever glimpse A day when war would endlessly cease... Somewhere in the darkest night on that Holy Christmas Eve… A miracle did transpire, A familiar tune, a sound to grieve, they heard. A carol 'cross the bloodied wire A beautiful tenor voice arose so softly serene... As Silent Night filled the air Their broken hearts were once heavy with despair. Then began to thaw the ice to melt And hope reminiscent, emerged now felt... Memories of Christmas dinners so rich and warm Of sweet puddings in homes adorned. Laughter of friends and family once near Caroling in harmonious and gleeful cheer... Charades danced by the glowing hearth In homes once filled with festive mirth. Ached in their hearts a poignant sting For friendship, like fragile buds... began to spring... They saw candles in the windows flickering A beacon of hope somewhere in the darkest night. A poignant reminder of Christ’s love.... a most enduring light. A Biblical testament to / life's unwavering Christmas delight... Released from hellish trenches they ventured about. With hearts so weary steeped and dreary. Shared tales of lands so distant and so grand And secrets that they'd kept looking for the Promised Land... They kicked a lively, game of ball With caps and coats as posts They laughed and joked and grinned and cheered And sensed a joy in their counterparts... Yet in quiet moments 'neath the stars, They yearned for what was lost, A cherished face, a home embraced, A dream to soothe the frost... But some were wary of the truce, And feared a hidden snare They wondered if their foes were true, Or if they should beware... And some were guilty of the peace, And experienced a pang of shame They knew they had to fight again, And kill in their country's name... Orders came, quashing brief repose, A tender farewell, Tears in their eyes didst swell, One last endearing toast... In their hearts, a flame nursed, A memory of the night, When common ground was found, Made the world, for a moment, seemed right... That night resembled a star, once shone Amidst the dark and below freezing cold The night was just like a Rose of Sharon that bloomed Amidst the blanketed snow and.... the putrid black mold... The conflict mirrored a ghastly beast ....who roared, And sought to claim their desperate souls! For the war was like a storm that engaged and raged And took its heavy toll... The truce was like an angel's slumbering song A balm for wounds concealed. The truce was like a rainbow's arc A promise half-revealed... Along the Somme and the Marne, the Yser, Where ghosts of battles lay. On that one Holy Precious Christmas Eve They heard a Hymn of peace, somewhere far away... In the silence of the trenches, a flicker, A memory of that sacred night. When enemies found Holy Ground, Where injury and war ceased their plight... As echoes of the Carols linger, In blessed hearts evermore. A testament that in times of beastly war, Humanity can find; Peace, Hope, and Love, Forever, and ever, and evermore... Silent, Night, Holy, Night, Yet for one moment, all was Calm, All was Bright...