When the Fighting Stopped for Christmas

This year marks the 100th Anniversary of a remarkable event, the Christmas Truce of 1914. On December 7, 1914, the Pope suggested a hiatus of fighting during the Christmas Holiday, but no one would agree to declare an official cease-fire, so on Christmas Day some of the British and German Soldiers took it upon themselves to stop the fighting, for just a little while.

Both sides were hunkered down in their trenches along the front lines, not very far apart, when each side began to sing Christmas Carols to each other. Some German troops were even brave enough to leave their trenches and enter into No Man's Land to wish Merry Christmas in English to the British Soldiers.

It was thought to be a trick at first, but the soldiers were unarmed and soon men from both sides crawled out of the trenches shaking hands and exchanging cigarettes and chocolates. It has been said that a game of soccer was played. What an amazing scene that must have been. It might have looked a bit like this.

In celebration of the 100th Anniversary, Trace Adkins has released "Christmas in The Trenches", with help from some members of the West Point Band. Miracles can happen at Christmas.