This series would not be complete without an explanation of “Silent Night.” In 1818, a roving band of actors was performing through the Austrian Alps. On Dec. 23, they arrived in Oberndoft, a village near Salzburg where a re-enactment of Christ’s birth was being given in a small church named Church of St. Nicholas.

As luck would have it, the church organ was on the blitz — some saying mice caused the problem whereas others claimed it was rust — so the actors decided to perform in a private home. The assistant pastor, Josef Mohr, was in a meditative mood after the performance so instead of walking straight home that night, he took a longer way. The path took him up a hill overlooking the village.

From this vantage point he could see the peacefully sleeping snow-covered village in a majestic silence. The tranquil scene caused him to recall a poem which he had written several years before. Both the view from the hilltop as well as the church needing a carol for his congregation the next night inspired him to ask the church organist, Franz Zaver Gruber, to help him put music to his lyrics.

Twenty years after its inception, the song was brought to America where it was eventually translated into English. It is now sung in more than 300 different languages around the world. The carol had such an impact on the world that one hundred years ago, thousands of British, Belgian and French troops miraculously put down their rifles, stepped out of their trenches and spent Christmas together during a temporary cessation of WWI hostilities. It was a rare moment of peace that happened just months into a war that eventually claimed over fifteen million lives.

No one knows for certain what instigated the truce, but by some curiously festive magic it broke out simultaneously across the trenches. Two-thirds of the troops — about 100,000 men — participated in the legendary truce where they gathered together to sing a song whose words were the same prayer in every man’s heart.

May we continue to join in harmony with our fellow man. Merry Christmas one and all!