Suche
Mein Konto
Message of peace under the Christmas tree – Archbishop Gössl calls out!
In his Christmas message in Bamberg Cathedral, Archbishop Gössl emphasizes the hope for peace and the protection of life.
Message of peace under the Christmas tree – Archbishop Gössl calls out!
On Christmas Eve, believers gathered in Bamberg Cathedral to attend Christmas mass, celebrated by Archbishop Herwig Gössl. In his moving and stirring sermon, he spoke about the central message of peace of Christmas Night and made it clear that Christmas should not be equated with blindness to reality or excessive optimism. Frankenpost reports that Gössl pointed out that God has not given up on humanity despite all of its irrationality and contradictions in the world. But the tendency to violence often stands in the way of peace, said the archbishop.
Christmas, Gössl further emphasized, is more than just a festive occasion. It is the moment when the light of hope shines into an often desperate world. “Christmas is a sign that God has set a new beginning through the incarnation of his Son,” explained the archbishop in his Christmas message. He made it clear that God does not act as a spectator, but rather actively intervenes in people's lives. Wiesentbote supports this view and emphasizes that the Christmas message has a transformative power that helps to overcome personal disappointments and difficulties.
Commitment to justice and peace
In a time marked by crises – be it wars, climate challenges or social injustices – Gössl believes it is essential to work for justice, reconciliation and peace. “Let’s start with ourselves and overcome selfish greed,” he called, encouraging everyone to take action. The protection of creation and the dignity of all people are at the heart of his message. This includes protecting unborn children and elderly people in need of care.
The Christmas season is not just a celebration of joy, but ultimately a call to action. Evangelisch.de also reports on the broad consensus among theologians who emphasize the motto “Hope and Peace”. It is a line that runs through the various Christmas messages and that everyone agrees on: especially in difficult times, people should keep their eyes open for God's love and peace.
The archbishop's words were not only well received by the audience in the cathedral, but were also heard in the surrounding communities. His call to reflect on one's own role in the world includes the need to be mindful of one another and stand up for one another. The celebration of love becomes an invitation to actively work towards a better world.