It was dark now, the night of December 24th, 1916, the sky occasionally lit up by artillery and machine gun fire. Edward had only been on the Western Front for just a little over two months. Before enlisting with half of his class, he had been in his third year studying at Cambridge University.

Of course he, as well as many other students, enlisted out of a sense of pride and to serve his country in the Great War. He had never regretted or doubted his decision, although it saddened him that he had lost so many friends and even fellow classmates during the fighting.

Even now, as he leaned back against the trench wall, he could still hear the artillery and machine gunfire rage on. For most of the day, the fighting along the trenches had been intense.

He lit a cigarette and took a long draw upon it, briefly forgetting where he was. Carefully he reached into the breast pocket of his uniform and took out the gold locket he kept with him always.

He slowly opened the locket and gazed at his love, the beautiful Victoria. They had met the year before at the university and began dating shortly after. He took another draw on the cigarette as he closed the locket and held it close to his heart.

It was then that he noticed the silence. No longer could he hear machine guns or artillery. Instead, he heard the faint sound of what appeared to be singing.

He strained to hear. Yes, there it was. It seemed to be coming from not only his trench, but also in the distance from the enemy trench as well. It was the sound of songs of Christmas and the holidays.

Edward could not believe what he heard: the sweet music of home and warmth. He looked up as he felt the first snowflakes coming down, touching his skin.

It was at this moment, more than any other, that he realized everything would be okay. Even though he was far from his home and the woman loved, he was not alone.

He knew without a doubt that he would be all right, and he’d return home safe and sound once again to see his dear Victoria.

For the rest of that night and on Christmas Day, there was only the sound of songs being sung.