By Phil C. Pretorius, Councilor and Chief Whip, Midvaal Municipality
On December 24, 1914 during the First World War, enemies laid down their weapons and crossed the the trenches to celebrated Christmas together in peace for one night. That night has since been known as The Christmas Truce, Weihnachtsfrieden (German), Kerstbestand (Dutch) or Trêve de Noël (French). When we tease someone from whom we expect a lot, we use the comparison that we do not “EXPECT WORLD PEACE FROM HIM/HER”, as if it is something that is unattainable. Maybe, for this reason we pursue and desire the concept so much. In 1971, John Lennon and Yoko Ono wrote the Christmas carol Happy Christmas (War is over) in protest against the Vietnam War. The tune is beautiful and catchy but the words resonate throughout our time – even today. In between the main lyrics, a children’s voices enter gently with the words: “War is over, if you want it, Now!” After a difficult 2022, I want to dedicate this song to you and ask that you listen to it and apply it to your own context. Do yourself a favour and play the song while reading it: Original Lennon version – https://youtu.be/flA5ndOyZbI , Celine Dion recording – https://youtu.be/73-mmd7RyS0. Ask yourself what have you done this year? Who did you help or who helped you? Alow yourself some fun and happiness but also those close to you, the young and the old. We wish everyone a Christmas without fear, for rich and poor, of all colors… because everyone wants to celebrate Christmas. But most important of all: The war (or fight or crying or suffering or stealing or lying or slandering or harming) IS OVER if you decide to do so today.
Happy Christmas (War is over)
So this is Christmas
And what have you done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas (WAR IS OVER)
For weak and for strong (IF YOU WANT IT)
For rich and the poor ones (WAR IS OVER)
The world is so wrong (NOW)
And so happy Christmas (WAR IS OVER)
For black and for white (IF YOU WANT IT)
For yellow and red ones (WAR IS OVER)
Let’s stop all the fight (NOW)
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas (WAR IS OVER)
And what have we done? (IF YOU WANT IT)
Another year over (WAR IS OVER)
And a new one just begun (NOW)
Ans so this is Christmas (WAR IS OVER)
I hope you have fun (IF YOU WANT IT)
The near and the dear one (WAR IS OVER)
The old and the young (NOW)
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear
War is over over
If you want it
War is over
Now
“Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” – 1971 written by John Lennon en Yoko Ono.
Merry Christmas to all of Midvaal’s residents and may 2023 bring only prosperity and happiness your way.
Proudly Midvaal greetings.
Phil
