December 22 - 24, 1940, is known as the Christmas Blitz here
in Manchester. For 17 hours, Nazi planes flew over the industrial city, dropping 443 bombs in
commercial and residential areas alike, killing more than 650 people,
many of whom were with family, having Christmas parties. More than 50,000 homes were destroyed -- just two days before Christmas (which seems especially cruel).
It must have seemed like the darkest, grimmest, most hopeless Christmas ever. So much for peace on earth.
The Imperial War Museum of the North today released this rare propaganda video of the destruction of Manchester, and how the city was beginning to defiantly rebuild: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/manchester-christmas-blitz-video-aftermath-10622423
I am reflecting this morning how strange it is for me, as an American, to have spent five years living in Germany, and now more than a year in England -- two fiercely opposed enemies who, just 70 years ago, slaughtered each other wholesale, one side to establish dominance over all of Europe; the other, to prevent that from happening.
It's hard for me to comprehend, because we haven't seen all-out war on our own soil since the Civil War in the 1800s. We've had violence and terrorism, and the attack on Pearl Harbor. But not this kind of war. To stand in places in Germany, England, France, and even other nations in Europe, where major battles took place in modern times, is quite surreal.
Today, these nations live at relative peace together as part of the same European Union. They may snipe at one another in politics, but they are at peace. I dare to say they are even friends.
What a difference a few decades can make.
As I watched the footage in the above video, it was hard to imagine that where I live today, the second largest city in the UK, which is vibrant and busy and productive, was the scene of such carnage and destruction. I really don't recognize anything in the video. But the place names are familiar to me. I stroll regularly in the city center, particularly Piccadilly, and I've visited Manchester Cathedral. I can't even imagine walking among the smoking ruins of those places today.
Probably inevitably, this video made me think of the pictures I've seen of Syria. Of major metropolitan areas that have been turned into skeletal, desolate ghost towns. I have thought more than once that no city could ever recover from such an onslaught.
Now, after viewing the destruction in the Manchester video, and comparing it to the lively place where I live today, I am seeing those ruined Syrian cities with a bit more hope. There is really only one Hope for such places.
Maybe someday, the war there really will end. Maybe peace really will come. Maybe people really will be able to bulldoze away the heaps of concrete and steel and start again. Maybe new, beautiful, vibrant cities really can spring up from the ashes.
Maybe. Someday.
All is well, all is well
Let there be peace on earth
Christ is come; go and tell
That He is in the manger
Sing A-le
Sing Alleluia
It must have seemed like the darkest, grimmest, most hopeless Christmas ever. So much for peace on earth.
The Imperial War Museum of the North today released this rare propaganda video of the destruction of Manchester, and how the city was beginning to defiantly rebuild: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/manchester-christmas-blitz-video-aftermath-10622423
I am reflecting this morning how strange it is for me, as an American, to have spent five years living in Germany, and now more than a year in England -- two fiercely opposed enemies who, just 70 years ago, slaughtered each other wholesale, one side to establish dominance over all of Europe; the other, to prevent that from happening.
It's hard for me to comprehend, because we haven't seen all-out war on our own soil since the Civil War in the 1800s. We've had violence and terrorism, and the attack on Pearl Harbor. But not this kind of war. To stand in places in Germany, England, France, and even other nations in Europe, where major battles took place in modern times, is quite surreal.
 |
| St. Ann's Square, where I just explored a Christmas Market on Sunday. |
Today, these nations live at relative peace together as part of the same European Union. They may snipe at one another in politics, but they are at peace. I dare to say they are even friends.
What a difference a few decades can make.
As I watched the footage in the above video, it was hard to imagine that where I live today, the second largest city in the UK, which is vibrant and busy and productive, was the scene of such carnage and destruction. I really don't recognize anything in the video. But the place names are familiar to me. I stroll regularly in the city center, particularly Piccadilly, and I've visited Manchester Cathedral. I can't even imagine walking among the smoking ruins of those places today.
 |
| Mancunians celebrating Christmas on the eve of the anniversary of the Christmas Blitz. |
Probably inevitably, this video made me think of the pictures I've seen of Syria. Of major metropolitan areas that have been turned into skeletal, desolate ghost towns. I have thought more than once that no city could ever recover from such an onslaught.
Now, after viewing the destruction in the Manchester video, and comparing it to the lively place where I live today, I am seeing those ruined Syrian cities with a bit more hope. There is really only one Hope for such places.
Maybe someday, the war there really will end. Maybe peace really will come. Maybe people really will be able to bulldoze away the heaps of concrete and steel and start again. Maybe new, beautiful, vibrant cities really can spring up from the ashes.
Maybe. Someday.
All Is Well
By Michael W. Smith
All is well, all is well
Angels and men rejoice
For tonight darkness fell
Into the dawn of love's light
Sing A-le
Sing Alleluia
Angels and men rejoice
For tonight darkness fell
Into the dawn of love's light
Sing A-le
Sing Alleluia
All is well, all is well
Let there be peace on earth
Christ is come; go and tell
That He is in the manger
Sing A-le
Sing Alleluia
All is well, all is well
Lift up your voice and sing
Born is now Emmanuel
Born is our Lord and Savior
Sing Alleluia
Sing Alleluia
All is well
Lift up your voice and sing
Born is now Emmanuel
Born is our Lord and Savior
Sing Alleluia
Sing Alleluia
All is well
Songwriters: SMITH, MICHAEL W. / KIRKPATRICK, WAYNE
© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
