Hospitality Wins Out
After the unusual Christmas Truce in World War I in 1914, 1915 and 1916, generals on both sides of the battle in World War II were determined to prevent any further socializing, so they made sure that the soldiers were aware that they would be severely punished if they rubbed shoulders with the enemy. As the Americans fought during the Battle of the Bulge in an intensive German attack, a Christmas Eve miracle came to pass in the snow-covered Hurtgen Forest. On Christmas Eve, three American soldiers (one badly wounded), who had been walking for three days, came upon a modest hunting cabin. A German lady, Elisabeth, and Fritz, her twelve-year old son, the only occupants, had been hoping Fritz’s father would be home for Christmas but he hadn’t arrived. They were alone on Christmas Eve. The armed soldiers knocked on the door. Noticing how young they were and the fact that they had knocked, she invited them inside where they carried the wounded soldier into the warm cabin. Despite language barriers, both parties were able to communicate in broken French. After hearing their story, she decided to have Fritz kill the rooster they had been saving for their Christmas meal and feed these three young men.
While dinner was being prepared, another knock came at the door. Fritz, answering, assumed it would be more American soldiers but was taken aback when four German troops were at the door. Elisabeth, knowing that execution was the penalty for harboring the enemy, quickly stepped outside to discuss particulars with the men. They were cold and hungry. She warned them that she had some guests that they may not want to see and after a long, hard look from the corporal, he asked if she had Americans inside. She insisted that “It is the Holy Night and there will be no shooting here.” They were allowed to enter when they left their weapons outside and she insisted that the Americans guns were taken outside as well. She stacked them right beside the German weapons. Understandably, the atmosphere was tense for a while until the smell of roast chicken began to put them at ease. One of the Germans, an ex-medical student, examined the wounded American and reassured them that, although he had lost a lot of blood, he just needed food and rest. As Elisabeth said the grace for the meal, Fritz noticed there were tears in each of the soldiers’ eyes, both American and German.
After a sleep, in the morning, the corporal gave the Americans their map and showed them the best way to return to their lines (and also provided them with a compass!). They shook hands and left in opposite directions; guns on their backs. Once they lost sight of each other, the truce was over. Interestingly, Fritz and his parents survived the war. He was able to find one of the American soldiers, Ralph Blank, who still had the German compass and map. Ralph told Fritz, “your mother saved my life.”
This true story tells the power of hospitality. Despite the overwhelming odds, seven young men found comfort, warmth, camaraderie, food and care in a humble little cabin in the woods. This woman, taking a dangerous risk to herself and her son, brought love, joy and peace to those cold, lonely boys on a Christmas night.
Let’s offer the gift of hospitality this Christmas season. Scripture reference: Hebrews 13:1,2