Christmas Day 1943

Christmas day, 1943 I was on the Maiella Massif in Italy, the snow was waist deep. I saw the sun come up, turning the peak of the mountain facing me gold, and slowly as the sun rose, a golden river ran down to my feet. Its beauty was ineffable. And i became overwhelmed by thoughts, especially of home. Suddenly I recalled the words of a carol, and i shouted out its words 'O hush the noise ye men of strife, and here the angels sing.' As if that were some of hope for desire were being answered the guns in the valley fell silent. All day long the silence was palpable. During the afternoon I remember groaning, 'Even the Germans know its Christmas.' Every Christmas since and I hear that carol, I feel like I'm back on that mountain.

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