In these texts, Remarque's characters return to the front lines after the war has ended, in Northern France. In the title story, one former soldier recalls an episode when soldiers from both sides established a bond across the lines on Christmas and they exchanged gifts until a zealous German officer shot a French soldier who had ventured out into no man's land.

By portraying individual stories, Remarque shows the absurdity of warfar. These stories are outstanding both in their literary strength and for their social message.