Our war

Pvt. John Landwich

3rd Battalion of the 2nd Advent Brigade

December 25th, 2178

Another year, another Christmas. I still feel nostalgic about it even when I am too young to have experienced a real Christmas, this stupid war has taken the 'festive' out of 'festivity'. Anyway, the mulled wine is good enough; to be fair, I was impressed when they announced it in the Christmas bulletin since we've heard the budget for the coast line will be cut down to redirect it to our guys in the east.

I've been stationed in the coast since September, not a lot happens around here. We pushed those savages back and it doesn't seem that they will get the coast back so easy. I still miss Barry, he would have loved this mulled wine. He always told me that once the war is over, he will go back to his parent's village, have a huge turkey sandwich and eat dozens of mince pies*. You can't really get them anywhere, the ancient recipe was banned in 2086. Many people of the resistance have tried to keep the thing alive but, in my opinion, they never get the meat right. Barry told me that his mom had and affair with one of the Three Wise Men** in the 50's; the guy told her he had a glimpse of the forbidden recipe during the storm of Liverpool in 2147***. Actually, I cannot really tell if that recipe is the true one; come on, prunes in a pie? sounds like atheist-vegan propaganda to me. I guess I'll have to visit Barry's mom in his place, it would be the right thing to do. His parents will be proud, that their son is a hero who gave his life for freedom.

I really miss Barry, that day would have never happened if those dumb atheist knew their place. We used to say that we will bath our turkey with gravy and drink our lattes on cups that say 'Merry Christmas' one and for all. I'm sorry Barry, I will put a present for you under my tree every year.

What to expect this Christmas? We all pray for a miracle that puts an end on this. I'm afraid that people is starting to loose their faith. We were called 'The Adventist' because they said we were that last sacrifice before Christmas. I hope that Barry's was the last one.

Mail arrived early this week. Mom says that she and dad will gather with some neighbours and have a Christmas dinner. I remember when we used to live in a 'Holidays zone', even hanging an image of Santa (Peace be upon Him) would get you in trouble. The Festive police had no chill, I'm glad we recovered a safe space for Christmas.

Yesterday we were told that our mates in Pennsylvania pushed back 4 atheist divisions and took over 7 walmarts; it looks like this might be over next year, if only the Catholics did their part. We used to fight side to side; I met such brave men and women from Poland and Brasil but the Pope, if you ask me, he's a weak general. Every month I get shocked by the numbers of Catholic deserters, I think only true Christians will fight for the true meaning of Christmas.

It's getting late and there's a short Carol Service going around the trenches. Boy, I hope the play 'Santa Claus (Peace be upon Him) is coming to town'. My mom used to sing it to me on Christmas eve, little I knew how much she was risking her life for me to have a white Christmas. I think miracles is all we fight for, even when maybe we're not the ones capable of one. I know soon Christmas will have its righteous place restored, that's why we fight for. As long we don't give up,  people will be free and join our war cry of 'Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year'.


*Curator's note: Mince pie is an ancient traditional Christmas dish from the Great Britain. People believe it consists of a pie of mince meat; however, considering the notes of this diary, some fruits might have been used on the filling. Soldiers of the Christmas war used to rely on oral lore since most of the Christmas Holy Books were destroyed in 2112.
**Curator's note: The Three Wise Men were 3 generals that lead the Christmas army from 2145 to 2166; these were Gen. Gary Thorpe, Gen. Amanda Vohn and Gen. Kyle Corrigan. They achieved important victories during those years, victories that motivated more volunteers to join the Christmas army, e.g., the First Advent Brigade in 2152.
***Curator's note: This refers to the storm of the city of Liverpool, England on the 16th of February of 2047. Two Christmas divisions with the help of the 1st Colombian Catholic Army tried to take the city. Even though they reached the town hall, they were repelled by the atheist forces under the command of Gen. Paul Blake.