Sometimes, right in the midst of the most depressing times in our history, something extraordinary happens that helps us embrace the truth of Alexander Pope’s maxim, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast”.
Armistice Day this year falls on the 14th November when we remember with great sadness but huge gratitude the men and women who served our country and sacrificed their lives in war and all the innocents who died with them.
Thousands perished in the bloodiest of battles of the 20th century; thousands have perished in the scariest pandemic still ongoing. Both leave suffering and heartache in their wake.
The media was full of Covid 19 news reporting its alarming effect on our NHS, lockdowns, and restrictions, with the numbers of people who had contracted the virus being reduced to devastating statistics on our TV screens.
Then one day in April 2020 there was some welcome good news. Ex-army surviving veteran, ‘Captain Tom’ (Captain Sir Thomas Moore) in his centenary year was also walking across our screens – fund-raising for NHS charities which soon caught the attention of the whole world.
From a modest initial target of £1000 he miraculously raised over £30 million, this modern-day hero not only lifted our spirits but captured our hearts, conveying an underlying message of hope as he united the nation and left a lasting legacy.
Another true story of a miracle which occurred concerning soldiers, this time during the First World War, is told in a l914 letter describing events:
“My Dear Sister,
I could not sleep before writing of the wonderful events of Christmas Eve here, unbelievable if I hadn’t witnessed them myself. While you sang carols at the fireside at home, I did the same with enemy soldiers here in France!
The Germans’ first trench was only 50 yards from our own. Between us lay No Man’s Land, bordered by barbed wire. As darkness fell all shooting stopped.
Suddenly our soldiers were shaking each other awake, “Come and see what the Germans are doing!” I stumbled from the trench, and cautiously stuck my head out.
I will never see a stranger or more lovely sight. Clusters of tiny lights were shining all along the German line as far as the eye could see – beacons of good will. A beautiful sound drifted across as we heard their plaintive voices rising in song. Stille nacht, heilige nacht . . .
Hesitantly our trenches applauded. Then we joined in. Strains of “Silent night, Holy night” filled the air in both languages!
British and German troops harmonizing . . . in harmony despite the awful war.
Suddenly, to our astonishment, there we were over a hundred soldiers and officers on each side, shaking hands with men we’d been trying to kill just hours earlier!
Was there ever such a time in all history?
And what does this impossible befriending of enemies mean?
One cannot help but imagine what would happen if the spirit shown here were to be caught by the nations of the world today.
I believe I have had a special taste of peace today dear sister,
Your loving brother,
Ben.”
I suspect many of us have much to learn from those people who, against all the odds, manage to maintain a spirit of hope.
May we re-echo the words said at Cenotaphs everywhere on the 14th November:
“At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”
