Parliament Hill’s carillon bells to mark 1914 Christmas truce

OTTAWA — Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and goodwill towards men.

Those are the words inscribed around the biggest of the 53 bells that hang in the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill — meant to symbolize peace after the horrors of the First World War.

Midday on December 24, that carillon instrument will join with others in 11 countries to mark the 100th anniversary of the Christmas Truce by playing Silent Night.

In spots across the Western Front, German, British and Belgian soldiers spontaneously laid down their arms and sang carols, played soccer and even buried the war dead together.

Dominion carillonneur Andrea McCrady, who plays the massive instrument, says it’s fitting for our carillon to participate because promoting peace was its raison d’etre.

The University of Toronto’s Soldiers’ Tower carillon is also set to participate.