Peaceful Christmas: Christkind calls for love and solidarity!

Peaceful Christmas: Christkind calls for love and solidarity!

On December 24, 2025, the topic of peaceful coexistence at Christmas will take center stage in Neutraubling. This is underlined by a Christmas poem by the Neutraublinger Christkindl, written by Melanie Zimmer. In her work she addresses the values ​​of love, warmth and cohesion, and emphasizes the importance of togetherness in this contemplative time. The author calls on all adults to actively contribute to peaceful coexistence, while children, who are presented as role models for joy and carefreeness, are encouraged to give strangers a smile too. In addition, the health and happiness period during the holidays is emphasized as particularly important. Zimmer ends her poem with good wishes for the New Year and a blessed Christmas.

In times when wars, crises and conflicts are increasing worldwide, the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany has published a new peace memorandum on Protestant peace ethics. This was presented on November 10, 2025 and emphasizes the need to ensure peace, even on a small scale. According to [EKD], such peaceful initiatives can provide important impetus for personal and social coexistence.

Traditions and customs at Christmas

A central part of Christmas are the traditions that have developed over the years. In the Middle Ages, a green branch, such as mistletoe or fir, symbolized hope and new life. These branches were hung during the Christmas season to promote celebration and drive away evil spirits. The first Christmas tree was documented in 1419 and stood in Freiburg's Heilig-Geist-Spital, decorated with apples, nuts and gingerbread. Originally, Christmas trees were placed outdoors and called “Christmas trees.”

The custom of bringing a Christmas tree into the living room became widespread, especially in Protestant families around 1800. In Catholic households, the nativity scene was celebrated as a central Christmas prop. At that time, Christmas trees were hung from the ceiling because wax for candles was expensive. It wasn't until the 19th century that cheaper stearin and paraffin candles became popular, brightening up the celebration.

The Christ Child, first introduced as a Christmas figure by Martin Luther, was depicted by a veiled girl in a white dress and symbolized the rejection of the veneration of saints. Santa Claus, a younger figure, was first mentioned in a song by Hoffmann von Fallersleben and from 1863 received support from the American image of Santa Claus. Christmas customs continued to develop as the family became more and more the center of sociability from the 18th century onwards and Christmas eventually became the most important family celebration.

Christmas, which today is primarily celebrated in the family circle, with a Christmas tree and a banquet, represents an important cultural highlight. This is also due to the development that public celebrations, such as markets and nativity scenes, were often prohibited during the Enlightenment and so the customs were pushed into the private sphere. The role of children, who are at the heart of the celebrations, has remained unchanged to this day.

In Neutraubling, too, the value of community, peace and the beauty of Christmas traditions are brought into focus on this special day. May the festival help to bring hope and joy into people's hearts and enable older and younger people to meet each other in love and harmony.