“When World War I erupted in 1914, launching the first great European war of the 20th century, soldiers on both sides were assured that they would be home by Christmas to celebrate victory,” according to author Victor Parachin. Men did not get to see their families on Christmas, for the “war to end all wars” lasted four years, and 8.5 million men were killed, with hundreds of thousands more dying from injuries.

On Christmas Eve, that December 1914, the weather was cold, freezing the blood mingled, muddy water and slush of the trenches in which the men were bunkered. On the German side, soldiers began lighting candles, which clearly illuminated German troops, making them vulnerable, but the British held their fire. In fact, German soldiers who celebrated Christmas on the Eve, held trees over their heads extending holiday greetings to their enemies. British soldiers began hearing “Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!” and the English began singing along.

The singing of “Silent Night” quickly neutralized all hostilities on both sides. One by one, British and German soldiers began laying down their weapons and gathering into “no-man’s land”. That night, former enemy soldiers sat around a common campfire. They exchanged small gifts – chocolate bars, buttons, badges, and small tins of processed beef from their rations. A British soldier wrote, “I was out talking and shaking hands with the very men I had been trying to kill a few hours before!” Mortal enemies had agreed upon a great truth: “Christmas is about peace on earth, good will to men.” On some parts of the front lines, the truce lasted only Christmas Day, but on others, as late as New Years. A German participant wrote, “It was a day of peace in war. It is only a pity that it was not decisive peace.”

In the midst of the horror of World War I, a song proclaimed the coming of Jesus and briefly stopped the brutality.

“Silent Night” might have never had its place in history had it not been for a last-minute crisis at a church in Oberndorf, Austria. In 1818, at St. Nicholas Church, Pastor Joseph Mohr had discovered that the organ was badly damaged and could not be repaired before Christmas. Mohr, who occasionally led signing while strumming his guitar, realized traditional Christmas carols would not sound right on his stringed instrument. Thinking about Jesus’ modest birth more than 1,800 years earlier, Mohr began writing “Silent Night, Holy Night”. Using simple phrases, the young pastor felt inspired as he retold the story of Christ’s birth in six short stanzas.

At midnight, parishioners filled the church expecting to hear the organ’s resounding notes. Instead, Mohr strummed the guitar and directed the choir to sing this new song which caused the congregation to experience a unique and memorable Christmas Eve service.

The story of “Silent Night” almost ended that evening as Mohr put the music away with no thought of using it again. Mohr was transferred to another parish and, for several years, “Silent Night” was never sung. However, in 1825, master organ builder Carl Mauracher, while reconstructing that same church organ, discovered the music left behind by Mohr.

Mauracher was impressed and began introducing the carol to musicians and audiences. Soon folk singers that traveled all over Europe began adding “Silent Night” to their repertoires. Although the carol was causing an enormous stir across Europe, Mohr remained unaware of the accolades his music was creating. Penniless, Mohr died of pneumonia in 1848 at the age of 55. He never learned his song was spreading around the world. In 1863, John Freeman Young translated three stanzas of the carol into the English verses people still sing today.

Today, “Silent Night” is sung on every continent in scores of languages.

“Silent Night” is about the peace that Christ’s coming brought. The peace that enemy combatants tasted briefly in the midst of bloody conflict nearly a century ago was only a glimpse of what Jesus offers to people living today. The peace that came to the world because of the coming of Christ is genuine and lasting. This peace can cleanse hearts and banish all sin. It can mend broken relationships and turn enemies into friends.

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Why not choose to do as the soldiers of World War I did? Why not choose to lay aside all feelings of enmity and allow that peace to reign at your Christmas celebrations, and beyond? Why not allow 2014 to be the year of “PEACE” in your life and allow it to replace the difficulties of 2013? Allow Jesus to be your Lord and peace will be yours!

Merry Christmas and a “peace-filled” New Years!

Silent night, Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
‘Round yon virgin , mother and child
Holy infant so, tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, Holy night
Shepherds quake, at the sight
Glory streams from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sings Hallelujah.
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.

Silent night, Holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth, Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

Caylin Compian seemed quite content with Santa at the Port O’Connor Fire Station.

Thanks to the Port O’Connor Volunteer Fire Department for hosting Santa and giving the children rides on the fire truck.
Photos by Lynette Hummell

Last month, as we approached Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I felt compelled to express my disdain at how commercialized the Christmas holiday has become.

Sure enough, come Monday morning there were fights over flat screen televisions in Wal-Marts, taser brawls in a mall and despite feeling vindicated about my observations, the actions themselves just make me feel disgusted, not pride at being proved correct.

So I figured I’d use the space this time around focusing on the good aspects of the holidays.

Beyond the religious aspects of the season, Christmas is made for children of all ages.

To a child, who has no understanding of Black Friday deals, credit card debt or family drama, Christmas is a time of magical moments and wonder.

Many a night in my childhood was spent trying to listen for reindeer on our roof and waiting to hear the ‘official’ word from NORAD that Santa Claus was indeed on the job bringing toys to children the world over.

It also was the time you got two weeks break from school, which was like an added bonus. Two weeks off with no tests, no teachers and no problems.

Another thing that stands out in my Christmas Memories was the music. Although today I am quite bored with the same five or six holiday classics remade by artist after artist, back then those songs were fresh (to me) and a big part of my past holidays.

A few albums and songs really stick out, such as the Bing Crosby Christmas album (on vinyl no less) or Merry Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

At the time I was too young to understand the meaning of the latter song too well but being raised on The Beatles and classic rock music like some are raised on milk I knew it forwards and backwards.

I also recall having a cassette tape of The Chipmunks Christmas Album, which contained the immortal classic Christmas Don’t Be Late, which one year I played so much I could probably speak chipmunk. After that particular Christmas, the tape mysteriously disappeared.

Another thing about my childhood Christmases was the snow. Lots and lots of snow.

On the Gulf Coast snow is about as rare in Winter as a Summer without a heat wave. Back in the appropriately named ‘Windy City’, Winter came with a snow shovel and a bag of road salt.

However, unlike now, when a huge Winter storm means horrible travel conditions, numb fingers and possible lost wages, back then it just meant snowmen, sleds and possible snow days off school.

I also have fond memories of being in Catholic school during this period, as I loved hearing about the birth of Jesus. For me this was part of an extraordinary story that started in late December and ended on Easter.

Admittedly it was His story and the constant drone of the yearly holiday specials that made me wonder as I got older if most around me were paying mind to the true meaning of the holiday rather then getting up and seeing what they had ‘gotten.’

Speaking as a man who will either be working or alone on Christmas, I know how hard it can be later on when the lights of childhood end. But there is a trick to it, one I wish I could spread amongst people as it would be the only Christmas gift I would truly want:

Take that Christmas spirit and share it everywhere you see, to every person you love and every person you don’t. Take the time to forgive and look outward. Seems easy enough, but the next bit is a little harder. Keep that spirit with you and never let it go, keep it with you and make the world a little more like Christmas every day.

No matter where you are, alone or together, near or far apart, if you focus on the true spirit of the season rather than baubles and a few days off work, you may just give yourself a gift this year.

I wish all of my readers a very Merry Christmas and I will meet you again in this space this time next year.

Aerial display by Team Marsh

Once again, another successful Lighted Boat Parade! Our community and out of town looks forward to and really enjoys this unique event, and this year was no exception! But it couldn’t happen without the support and commitment of countless sponsors and volunteers.

First, I would like to thank Kenneth and Grady Jean Clark, and Henry Anderson, for allowing the use of the old Clark’s Restaurant. The group enjoyed being indoors for the boat registration, Captains meeting, dinner and awards presentations. Without the use of this facility we would have been out in the cold and dark! So thank you again!

Thank you, Don and Sheryl Haynes and your group, for proving the excellent barbecue dinner  we’ve all come to love!

Next I would like to thank Paul McGee for organizing the transportation for the unloading of the toys and assisting the participants to their lodging. I would also like to thank the Caracol Subdivision Developers for allowing us the use of the grounds, and Joe Rivera and his crew for erecting the tent, for the judges. And thank you, Coast Guard, for your service.
Thank you Brandy Perkins and Ann Townsend for helping to get all the advertisements and flyers out.

Thank you POC Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Directors for your continued support of the lighted boat parade. Can you believe this is its 22nd year? Special thanks to Mary Jo Walker, and her assistants, for setting up the facilities. Thank you also for your uncanny ability to address and overcome last minute challenges!

Of course I would especially like to think the judges, Kenny and Dwana Finster, Bill and Donna Pyle, Joe and Vera Wyatt, for volunteering their time and braving the bone-chilling weather!

And finally, Jerry Karnes, Jason and Wendy Fry, and all the other participants in the “Toy Run” boat escapade, thank you for all you do! Every year…regardless of the weather…as you tell us “The show must go on!”  You generous hearts and Christmas spirit are an inspiration to us all. And the surprises you bring to our Calhoun County children are over the top!

Bill Tigrett

Bill Tigrett, with help of the Coast Guard, conducts the Captains Meeting

Boat Parade Photos by Mike Hessong

A big “Thank You” to all who braved the cold weather to participate in the Annual Lighted Boat Parade:

Colton Prlka and Crew                          Andrew Mikkelsen and Crew
Bubba Goodwin and Crew                  Keith Dodds and Crew
Jason Fry and Crew                              Chad Trueheart and Crew
Scott Wheat and Crew                         Daniel Phillips and Crew
William Van Ostrand and Crew        McGuirt Hunter and Crew
Jerry Karnes and Crew                        Cass Coroiesca and Crew
Jimmy Hall and Crew                          Chris Wolf and Crew

Best Overall in the Boat Parade Chad Trueheart and crew

Most Spirited in the Boat Parade Scott Wheat and crew

Most Unique - McGuirt Hunter

Best Large Pleasure Boat - Jason Fry

Best Small Pleasure Boat - Chris Wolf