The Power of Unity

King Christian X of Denmark | Twitter

In April of 1940, Germany already had possessed control over Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Poland. In its quest to conquer Europe, German tanks then rumbled across the borders of yet another peaceful European country: Denmark.

The powerful Nazi invaders expected to encounter little resistance from the small northern nation. And, initially, little resistance was given.

Shortly after, other European countries fell to the Germans as well. Norway, Holland, Belgium, and France had their people bullied, bloodied, and beaten down by the forceful Nazi regime. As part of their systematic method of intimidation and oppression, the Germans announced that every Dane of Jewish descent would be required to wear a yellow Star of David. They had already done the same thing in Germany, and any Jew who failed to comply would be put to death.

The Star of David, a proud symbol of their Jewish faith and culture, would be used to mark them as undesirable members of society―to rob them of their possessions, their dignity, and even their lives.

The Danish government knew they were not strong enough to wage war against the powerful German army. Instead, their leader―King Christian the Tenth―made a bold move to prevent the Nazis from persecuting the Jewish citizens of Denmark.

According to popular legend, after the proclamation was made by the occupying army, the king called for every single one of his country's citizens to wear the Star of David. He demanded that every Danish household would stand together with their Jewish neighbors.

Can you imagine the fear this must've stirred up in the hearts of every non-Jewish person in Denmark? What would you have done?

Imagine those first Gentile citizens leaving their homes that morning after the king's announcement. Would they be the only ones to abide by this new rule? Would others be wearing the Star of David too? Would they all be executed together?

Somewhat shockingly, there were Stars of David everywhere.

Upon seeing the people's love and support, the Jewish people collectively wept. And because the people stood together, the Nazis' full plan of persecution against the Jews was never carried out in Denmark.

Unity requires risk. It involves setting aside personal agendas for the betterment of the group. It's hard. It's scary. It can feel unnatural.

But, as the Danish people have shown us, the power of unity is remarkable. It was remarkable back then, and the power of unity is still remarkable today.

Link arms. Stand up for one another. You are stronger when you are together.