Frohliche Weihnachten,” Elisabeth said to the German soldiers, wishing them Merry Christmas. She then invited them to dinner.

But before allowing them in, Elisabeth informed them she had other guests inside that they might not consider as friends.

“She reminded them that it was Christmas Eve,” Fritz said, “and told them sternly there would be no shooting around here.” These soldiers, still mere boys, listened respectfully to this kind and mature woman.

The German soldiers agreed to store their weapons in the shed. Elisabeth then quickly went inside to collect the weapons from the American soldiers and locked them up securely. “At first, it was very tense,” Fritz said.

Two of the German soldiers were about sixteen years old and another was a medical student who spoke some English. Although there was little food to offer, Elisabeth knew that everyone must be very hungry. She sent Fritz outside to fetch the rooster he had captured several weeks earlier.

“When I returned,” Fritz recalled, “the German medical student was looking after the wounded American, assuring him that the cold had prevented infection.

“The tension among them gradually disappeared. One of the Germans offered a loaf of rye bread, and one of the Americans presented instant coffee to share. By then the men were eager to eat, and Mother beckoned them to the table. We all were seated as she said grace. “‘Komm, Herr Jesus,’” she prayed, ‘and be our guest.’ — beliefnet.com