The Dorset Echo has started a brand new weekly column, giving councillors the opportunity to talk about the issues they care about and what's great in their community. Here is a contribution from Cllr Jon Orrell, who represents the Weymouth East ward.

It came upon a midnight clear. A voice in the darkness from a shell hole calls for help. “My Jesus, this is more than I can bear”. No-one comes for fear of snipers and shells. Later the voice becomes quieter as he calls for his mother. Then silence. Dawn sees the dead body of this young German.

Another night scene in the trenches. The familiar tune “Silent Night” is heard with the unfamiliar words. “Stille Nacht.” Troops mix in no-mans land at this Christmas time leading to an outbreak of peace. Celebrating the one who came as a baby. The one who later as a man said “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” “Blessed are the peace-makers”.

100 year ago the guns fell silent. Christian nations ceased ignoring their religion’s founder; no longer killing one another for nationalism in the name of Christ, with the blessing of clergy.

Now once again we hear two voices. The loudest calls for more guns and tanks to move to foreign borders. It calls for billions for weapons of mass destruction upgrading missiles for submarines. It prepares for war and appeals to nationalism. The young line up to be sacrificed to benefit arms manufacturers beneath the cover of patriotic flags. A quieter voice calls to those who listen. This second carol has these words: “Yet with the woes of sin and strife the world has suffered long; Beneath the angel strain have rolled two thousand years of wrong; And man, at war with man, hears not the love-song which they bring; O hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing.”

The angel’s message being; “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace.”