Church - Bishop Fehrs wants a clear commitment against anti-Semitism
In her Christmas message, Hamburg Bishop Kirsten Fehrs called on Christians to make a clear statement against anti-Semitism. "We must never forget that this bright manger child in Bethlehem is Jewish. Christianity was born out of him," said the current Chair of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD). Jesus' mission was to respect the dignity of children and "to show the warlords of this world the door with all our might".
In her message distributed on Friday, Fehrs also addressed the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. "I look with concern to Israel and also to Bethlehem, the small town in the middle of the occupied territories: How might the children be faring there?" asked the bishop. Every modern war is a humanitarian catastrophe from which the civilian population in particular suffers. It is important to pray for all those suffering, but also to act.
The Bishop of the North Church, Kristina Kühnbaum-Schmidt, described Christmas as "the intervention of God's love". With arms outstretched on both sides, Christ steps between enemies and those in conflict, creating new connections, reconciliation and community. "In view of the horrors in the war zones of the world, in the face of terror and hatred, the serious consequences of the climate crisis and so many calamities in the world, this Christmas message is as topical as it is hopeful," explained Kühnbaum-Schmidt.
The Bishop of Greifswald, Tilman Jeremias, also lamented the lack of peace in the world: "There is unpeace in so many corners of the world, and in our country, too, I perceive a great deal of tension among many people, an overload and also exhaustion at the end of this year." But this is precisely a reason to celebrate Christmas. "Because in Jesus, God does not come into a perfect world, but Jesus Christ is light in the darkness, he himself was born in poor conditions," explained Jeremias.
For Bishop Nora Steen from Schleswig, the most important words of the biblical Christmas story are "Fear not!". These words are also needed in our time: "When democracy and social cohesion are at risk, this encouragement applies to each and every one of us," said Steen. Christians can make their fellow human beings feel that they are not alone. As an example, the bishop cited the church asylum for refugees and the work of the station mission.
Christmas messages from the North Church
Read also:
- A clan member is punished here
- Traffic lawyer warns: Don't talk to the police!
- Will he be convicted as Jutta's murderer after 37 years?
- He also wanted to kill his cousin
In the spirit of Bishop Fehrs' calls for combating antisemitism, the EKD in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein have also issued statements against hate speech. The Bishop of Greifswald, Tilman Jeremias, strongly condemned the rise of antisemitism in Germany and urged Christians to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.
Furthermore, Bishop Nora Steen from Schleswig-Holstein emphasized that the message of peace and love at Christmas should extend to all children, regardless of their background or religion. She pointed out that the conflict in Bethlehem remains a pressing humanitarian issue that demands our attention and concern.
On the opposite side of the country, the Bishop of Hanover, Ernst-Ulrich W Pirchfellner, also highlighted the importance of promoting peace and reconciliation in the Middle East. He emphasized the need for a just resolution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, ensuring a future of stability and prosperity for all children in the region.
Moreover, many pastors across Germany have focused their Christmas sermons on the theme of social justice and solidarity with the marginalized. In her sermon, Christ Church Pastor Anna Wüstenberg in Hamburg called on congregants to act as advocates for peace and justice in the world. "Jesus' message of love are not just nice words on Christmas cards, but urgent calls to action," she said.
Bishop Hans-Joachim Jurgen Jastram of the Church of theoma, based in Hamburg, encouraged his parishioners to cultivate a sense of empathy and support their neighbors, especially during challenging times. His Christmas message emphasized the need to create a more inclusive and caring community that reflects the love and compassion of Jesus.
Lastly, the Bishop of Hamburg-Schleswig, Christian Albrecht Kraemer, expressed his hope for peace, understanding, and reconciliation during the Christmas season. Drawing inspiration from the people of Bethlehem, Kraemer emphasized the power of prayer and action to bring about positive change in the world.
In the face of conflicts and conflicts around the world, the Christian message of love and solidarity remains an enduring source of hope and inspiration for many. With these sentiments, we celebrate Christmas and look forward to a more peaceful and just future for all children, regardless of their nationality, religion, or background.
Featured Image: A crowded street in Bethlehem during the Christmas season. Source:
Source: www.stern.de
