As a student of world history, I鈥檓 fascinated by the World War I Christmas Truce of 1914. Along a great stretch of the Western Front, opposing soldiers from the Allied Powers and Central Powers鈥攎uch to the dismay of their commanders鈥攑articipated in an unofficial ceasefire. They left their trenches to exchange greetings, sing carols, and play soccer. This pause of hostilities amid the carnage of battle is one of the finest examples of humanity鈥攁 time when a spirit of peace, however brief, prevailed. In our time, too, we could use some more peace.
The world is a complicated place, full of beauty and wonder and still imperfect and unsettling. From geo-political conflicts to ideological clashes closer to home, there are troubling circumstances seemingly everywhere that bear no semblance of peace. I鈥檓 not na茂ve. There鈥檚 no magic wand to wave to bring harmony about. I understand that as long as flawed people and systems exist, there will always be various forms of suffering and injustice. We can, though, shine light in the darkest places that need it most.