Carol will celebrate wartime ceasefire

A FAMOUS carol is to be sung in German and English in South Bersted this weekend to commemorate the centenary of a wartime truce.

The male voices of the St Mary Magdalene Church choir will sing Silent Night in German to add a poignant touch to the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the first world war.

The conflict’s first Christmas was celebrated by an impromptu truce along the front line as soldiers from both sides swapped gifts and played football matches.

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The Rev Tim Crook, vicar of St Mary Magdalene, said: “The soldiers who took the initiative and put their heads above the parapet and 
left their comfort zone to make peace were incredibly brave.

“They showed us something of what God did in Jesus, when he left the security of heaven and entered into the no-man’s land of our broken world.”

The bi-lingual carol will feature in the traditional Nine Lessons and Carols at 5pm this Sunday at the Bersted Street church.

All are welcome, though the service is not suitable for children.

They are encouraged to attend the Christmas Eve services at 4pm or 6pm.