During the Christmas truce in 1914, the world witnessed an outpouring of humanity and good sense. In the fifth month of World War I, a ceasefire was announced from December 24 to 26. After it went into effect, remarkable episodes of fraternization occurred.

Hardened enemies suddenly became friends sharing tobacco, alcohol, singing together, and enjoying the time shared.

Unlike their governments, they found commonality, and death took a holiday. A divine hand seemed to stem the tide of insanity.

In our own time, it seems that madness is once again afoot. Massacres, mayhem, and individual displays of mindless murder stalk the world. Coupled with this is the never-ending drumbeat of overstatement, bluster, and boast. Reflection is scorned and is written off as unworthy. This attitude diminishes the whole of humankind. It is the small acts of kindness that are not spoiled by pretension, rank, and renown.

This was the spirit of those soldiers who longed to return to dreary routine. Christmas and New Year’s should be a time for assessing those small delights and glorying in friends and family. To measure and reflect on the good in life.

But the puffery, rudeness, and downright spite that poisons a good deal of the globe point to a grimmer reality. This is powered by greed, envy, and ego and fed by those who seek division and hate for personal gain.

As Adlai Stevenson observed in 1956, we are “Passengers on Spaceship Earth.” Our commonality and, more to the point, mortality points to harmony rather than the ranting of self-appointed tribunes. Neither the ambitions of insatiable power-hungry leaders nor the ranting of the huckster eager for profit should define us.

Fortunately for most of us, it does not. However, as the soldiers of 1914 learned to their dismay, the “truce” brought no peace. On December 27, 1914, they all resumed the grim business of trying to kill one another.

In this season of unspeakable actions, it must be said that most possess goodwill and go about doing those things that make life better.

As we approach a new year, it is imperative that the madness of a few does not undermine the generosity of the many. To understand each other, we need to dial down the angst and hatred. I believe we can and will.