Christmas Address by Grand Master Dr. Lothar Gellert

Dear members of the German Knightly Order of St. Peter & Paul

At this time of year, few sights evoke more feelings of cheer and goodwill than the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree.

Gathering round the tree gives us a chance to think about the year ahead - I am looking forward to an interesting year 2021, which will hopefully allow us to come together again with our friends more frequently.

It also allows us to reflect on the year that has passed, as we think of those who are far away or no longer with us.

Unfortunately, the year 2020 has seen many victims who died with the Covid 19-virus. But as well losses due to other diseases occurred.

Many people say the first Christmas after losing a loved one is particularly hard. But it's also a time to remember all that we have to be thankful for.

It is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year, when the number of infected persons increased each day, but the Gospel of St. John contains a verse of great hope, often read at Christmas services: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it".

But there were as well nice moments in this year. It was highly appreciated worldwide that after a period of ice ages Israel, Bahrain and the United Arabic Emirates came back to a peaceful co-existence und have normalized their relationship by a treaty of peace.

One cause for thankfulness this summer was marking 30 years since the German Reunification. How much sorrows had brought this separation between East- and West-Germany for so many families?

On 3 October, we commemorate this terrible conflict between East and West and we were remembering the many people who became victims of this separation.

When we are strolling now through the streets and see the big Christmas trees on public squares, we should be aware that such a Christmas tree is combining many people. We are overwhelmed by the several hundreds of light bulbs and we should be aware that it is enjoyed not just by Christians but by people of all religions, and of none. At the very top often sits a bright star, to represent the Star of Bethlehem.

'Displaced and persecuted'

For Joseph and Mary, the circumstances of the birth of Jesus - in a stable or according to the coran beneath a palm tree - were far from ideal, but worse was to come as the family was forced to flee the country.

It's no surprise that such a human story still captures our imagination and continues to inspire all of us worldwide who are Christians.

Despite being displaced and persecuted throughout his short life, Christ's unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence but simply that we should love one another.

Although it is not an easy message to follow, we shouldn't be discouraged; rather, it inspires us to try harder: to be thankful for the people who bring love and happiness into our own lives, and to look for ways of spreading that love to others, whenever and wherever we can.

One of the joys of living a long life is watching one's children, then grandchildren, then great-grandchildren, help decorate the Christmas tree or standing later in front of it with amazing eyes.

There's an old saying that "it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness".

There are millions of people lighting candles of hope in our world today.

Christmas is however not only a time of hope but as well a good time to be thankful for everything that brings light to our lives.

In this sense I wish you and your families a very happy Christmas.Neuer Text