Imagine, for a moment, a war zone filled not with gunfire and artillery but with candles and songs.

It seems unbelievable, but it occurred for a brief moment on December 24, 1914, during World War I.

In honor of the Christmas holiday, German and British troops fighting on the Western front in France called a ceasefire. They decked the top of their trenches with candlelit trees and exchanged souvenirs, sang carols to each other in different languages and even played a game of soccer.

The conviviality (see definition and hear pronunciation below) of the peace was short-lived, however. Once the holiday was over, soldiers on both sides resumed their battle.

Cool word vocabulary question of the day: How do you think the nature of war might change if opposing sides shared more conviviality?

Conviviality: Joyful or festive activity, the quality or state of being social.

Click to hear the pronunciation of conviviality:

https://coolwordclub.com/wp-content/uploads/conviviality.mp3

What do you appreciate most about your friends?

Is it the way they really listen to what you have to say?

Or what about all the times they laugh at your jokes?

Of course, you also want your friends to understand you and be supportive of your dreams and aspirations.

But sometimes the best friends are just those people whose convivialityfriendly, festive nature is downright irresistible.

So go ahead…join with your friends for some lively and festive times!

And while you’re at it, can you think of any other examples of conviviality?

It’s a cool word you’ll be really glad you learned!