It was Christmas Eve, 1914. Along the frozen fields of Flanders, weary soldiers huddled in trenches, bracing for another bitter night of war. For months, they had endured the misery of rain, mud, hunger and relentless fighting. And yet, in that unlikely place, something extraordinary happened.
From the German lines, faint voices began to rise: Stille Nacht. Heilige Nacht. The familiar strains of Silent Night floated across No Man’s Land. British and French soldiers listened in disbelief, then joined in with their own carols.
By morning, men who only hours before had been sworn enemies began to emerge from their trenches. They stepped cautiously into the scarred ground between them, where so many had fallen. But instead of bullets, they extended hands.
There, in the open, enemies became brothers for a fleeting moment. They exchanged chocolate, bread, tobacco and small keepsakes. They laughed, told stories and even organized a game of football on the frozen earth. For a brief and miraculous day, the war paused. Enemies stood side by side, united by their shared humanity and the spirit of Christmas.
The Christmas Truce of 1914 remains one of history’s most powerful reminders that even in the darkest of times, peace is possible.
If you recall, last year, opinion media was selling the truly sad idea of not going home for the holidays. Many families experienced the pain of missing family members due to differences. Let me just say, if you have family members, left, right or center, you are blessed.
Hug them, welcome them to your table, just as you would welcome a fellow outdoorsman to your campfire. Pour them a drink, reunite, catch up and enjoy a meal together. In a season that too easily gets lost in materialism, remember it isn’t about what’s under the tree, it’s about who’s around it.
That spirit echoes through the November-December 2025 issue of Hook & Barrel. We invite you into the warmth of tradition and the joy of not only the holiday season, but also the hunting season! In the “Good Grub” column, we trade the old Christmas goose for Peking duck, with a nod to Ralphie and his family in A Christmas Story (1983).
This wasn’t by chance or because it is my mom’s favorite Christmas movie. After the Bumpuses’ dogs devoured their family’s turkey, they ended up at the only open spot in town, a Chinese restaurant. There, over awkward carols and a “smiling” duck, they forgot the chaos and simply lived in the moment together.
Next, our “Happy Hour” piece brings you duck and deer camp cocktails fit for toasting together. On the music front, Chase Rice and Jordan Davis remind us that stories and songs are best shared with friends. Finally, in “Fitness,” John Barklow takes us to the deer stand for a moment of peace and stillness, the kind of pause we could all use this season.
And because Christmas should always carry a wink, our “Last Laugh” page delivers “The Hallmark Movie Man,” a satire that pokes fun at small-town Christmas clichés and even tips the hat to our friend and past cover star, Dean Cain. It’s the perfect reminder that the season is as much about laughter as it is about tradition.
So, as you flip through the pages, may you find not just stories, recipes or gear, but reminders of what really matters: peace, joy and togetherness. Because at its heart, Christmas is about the Prince of Peace—Jesus Christ—whose birth made all good things possible.
From our Hook & Barrel family to yours, Merry Christmas!
Get the December-January issue of Hook & Barrel magazine here!
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