[ad_1]
The crisis of the crown also affects the Christmas message of the churches. EKD Council Chairman Bedford-Strohm and Cardinal Marx tried to encourage courage and, at the same time, urge cohesion with caution and reason.
The theme of social cohesion in times of the crown pandemic was also reflected in the joint Christmas message of the Protestant and Catholic Church. At an ecumenical service in Munich, the president of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, and Cardinal Reinhard Marx called for people to be there for others, especially in this time of crisis.
It is a time of uncertainty. But “in the midst of exhaustion, in the midst of questions, fears, loneliness, emptiness,” in the middle it was Christmas, Bedford-Strohm said:
“In the midst of everything, God becomes human. In the midst of all our chaos, the angels say: Fear not!”
Proximity through calls or letters
Marx demanded that people bring God’s love to society during the crown crisis. And it’s important to do this together, Bedford-Strohm added, taking care of each other, calling lonely people, or sending them handwritten letters.
“By reducing physical contact and, where possible, by connecting digitally. By turning on lights that comfort us and others.”
“With God’s help we will overcome this difficult moment,” emphasized the EKD president.
At this point it is important to show that “all people are connected to each other and that we are responsible for each other,” said Marx.
Marx defends the cult face to face
The Christmas service took place in the youth church “Vom guten Hirten” in Munich-Haidhausen and was also broadcast on the Internet. The number of participants during the liturgy was limited due to Corona requirements. In the end, the two bishops solemnly pronounced the blessing for the city and the country next to a fire on the esplanade of the church.
In an interview with the “Münchner Merker”, Marx defended the decision to attend religious services despite the high number of corona infections. “We are in a different situation than Easter, when we did not know anything about the disease and we did not have convincing hygiene concepts,” he said. Furthermore, it should not be underestimated that the services are “a source of hope and comfort for many people.”
