Christmas Eve 1914. The sounds of rifles firing and shells exploding faded along the Western Front, and the sounds of holiday celebrations rose above it all. Soldiers, friends and foe alike sang Christmas carols to each other across the lines. At the first light of dawn on Christmas Day, some German soldiers emerged from their trenches, approaching the Allied lines across no-man’s-land, and called out ‘Merry Christmas’ to their enemies. They were unarmed, and with only a moment’s hesitation, the Allied soldiers climbed out from the trenches to exchange songs, carols and gifts with the men who only days ago, were their enemies. The arrival of miniature Christmas trees along the German trenches ignited the spark that would lead to the unconventional Christmas Truce of 1914.
The unofficial Christmas Truce of 1914 was considered to one of the last examples of chivalry between enemies in warfare.
The Amabile Boys & Men’s Choirs performed at the Annual Remembrance Day Concert on Sunday, November 10 2019. As we took the time to reflect and remember those who have served and sacrificed, we also took the time to reflect upon those who continue to serve. A beautiful selection of songs were performed, interwoven with the story of the Christmas Truce of 1914 that blended perfectly together.
Thank you to our conductors: Carol Beynon, Mark Payne, Jeff Beynon, Don Sills, Lydia Kendell and John Vermue; our accompanists Tristin Hill, Rosemary Bannerman, and Denise Jung; our speakers George Jolink, Maxwell Webb Comor, and Matthew Pironaggi. Thank you to our incredible staff and volunteers who helped ensure that the event went smoothly and thank you to our choristers for their dedication and hard-work.
Thank you to all who came out and remembered our soldiers with us.
And thank you all those individuals who continue to serve our country.
