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  • In the ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral is a sculpture of a man and a woman reaching

  • out to embrace each other. The sculptor was inspired by the story of a woman who crossed

  • Europe on foot after the war to find her husband.

  • Casts of the same sculpture can be found in Belfast and Berlin, and it is simply called

  • Reconciliation.

  • Reconciliation is the peaceful end to conflict, and we were reminded of this in August when

  • countries on both sides of the first world war came together to remember in peace.

  • The ceramic poppies at the Tower of London drew millions, and the only possible reaction

  • to seeing them and walking among them was silence. For every poppy a life; and a reminder

  • of the grief of loved ones left behind.

  • No one who fought in that war is still alive, but we remember their sacrifice and indeed

  • the sacrifice of all those in the armed forces who serve and protect us today.

  • In 1914, many people thought the war would be over by Christmas, but sadly by then the

  • trenches were dug and the future shape of the war in Europe was set.

  • But, as we know, something remarkable did happen that Christmas, exactly a hundred years

  • ago today.

  • Without any instruction or command, the shooting stopped and German and British soldiers met

  • in no man’s land. Photographs were taken and gifts exchanged. It was a Christmas truce.

  • Truces are not a new idea. In the ancient world a truce was declared for the duration

  • of the Olympic Games and wars and battles were put on hold.

  • Sport has a wonderful way of bringing together people and nations, as we saw this year in

  • Glasgow when over 70 countries took part in the Commonwealth Games.

  • It is no accident that they are known as the Friendly Games. As well as promoting dialogue

  • between nations, the Commonwealth Games pioneered the inclusion of para-sports within each day’s

  • events.

  • As with the Invictus Games that followed, the courage, determination and talent of the

  • athletes captured our imagination as well as breaking down divisions.

  • The benefits of reconciliation were clear to see when I visited Belfast in June. While

  • my tour of the set of Game Of Thrones may have gained most attention, my visit to the

  • Crumlin Road Gaol will remain vividly in my mind.

  • What was once a prison during the Troubles is now a place of hope and fresh purpose;

  • a reminder of what is possible when people reach out to one another, rather like the

  • couple in the sculpture.

  • Of course, reconciliation takes different forms. In Scotland after the referendum many

  • felt great disappointment, while others felt great relief; and bridging these differences

  • will take time.

  • Bringing reconciliation to war or emergency zones is an even harder task, and I have been

  • deeply touched this year by the selflessness of aid workers and medical volunteers who

  • have gone abroad to help victims of conflict or of diseases like Ebola, often at great

  • personal risk.

  • For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the prince of peace, whose birth we celebrate today,

  • is an inspiration and an anchor in my life.

  • A role model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance

  • and healing. Christ’s example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people,

  • of whatever faith or none.

  • Sometimes it seems that reconciliation stands little chance in the face of war and discord.

  • But, as the Christmas truce a century ago reminds us, peace and goodwill have lasting

  • power in the hearts of men and women.

  • On that chilly Christmas Eve in 1914, many of the German forces sang Silent Night; its

  • haunting melody inching across the line.

  • That carol is still much-loved today, a legacy of the Christmas truce, and a reminder to

  • us all that even in the unlikeliest of places hope can still be found.

  • A very happy Christmas to you all.

In the ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral is a sculpture of a man and a woman reaching

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