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Hamburg / Schwerin (dpa) - The Bishops Council of the North Church showed understanding for the cancellation of Christmas services in person on Wednesday at the beginning of the tough lockdown across Germany.
"With increasing concern, we are all realizing how the number of infections is currently rising, how depressing the deaths are and that our health system is on the verge of overload," write the regional bishop Kristina Kühnbaum-Schmidt, Bishop Kirsten Fehrs, Bishop Gothart Magaard and Bishop Tilman Jeremias in a joint letter to the parishes.
The north church extends over the states of Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Because of the rapid spread of the corona virus, especially in Lübeck, the four evangelical inner-city congregations have already canceled all attendance services until January 10th.
Basically, as the bishops emphasized, the parishes independently decide how Christmas is celebrated in the parishes - whether analog or purely digital, whether outside or inside.
Regardless of which path is taken, there is backing for the decisions on site: "It is crucial that we stay together, support and strengthen each other in all decisions of whatever nature with regard to Christmas."
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In a video message, State Bishop Kühnbaum-Schmidt suggested doing something that could bring everyone together: “On Christmas Eve at 8:00 p.m. to sing“ Silent Night ”or to play with instruments.
On the balcony, at the open window, alone or with the closest family.
Maybe with a burning candle in hand.
As light in all the darkness that weighs down and threatens life. "