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Trier / Speyer (dpa / lrs) - The corona pandemic that dominates this year has shaped many sermons on Christmas Eve in the churches of Rhineland-Palatinate.
The Bishop of Speyer, Karl-Heinz Wiesemann, said, according to a message on the occasion of a Christmas mass in the cathedral, that this year the "global vulnerability of our world" had shown itself all-encompassing and decisive.
Assumed securities, of course, have wavered.
According to a statement, Bishop Stephan Ackermann saw the Christmas message in his sermon in Trier Cathedral as an encouragement, especially in times of pandemic.
In times of heightened fears, in which people are afraid of getting sick, infecting others, behaving incorrectly, fearing for their existence or mourning or feeling insecure after the rampage in Trier, it is an "important counter message".
It sounded similar with the President of the Evangelical Church in Hesse and Nassau (EKHN), Volker Jung.
Christmas is a festival that gives hope in the corona pandemic and gives strength to live.
"Those who have confidence and hope in themselves get new strength," Jung said, according to a previously distributed announcement in the ZDF service broadcast from Ingelheim on Christmas Eve.
In view of the corona pandemic, everyday life is currently determined by "dark shadows".
The "light of the Holy Night" could brighten life.
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The Limburg Bishop Georg Bätzing, for his part, highlighted the comforting message of Christmas.
"Christ, the Savior, is here" - this promise from the song "Silent Night, Holy Night" was the first to hear the shepherds in the fields in the Christmas Gospel, and over time it has penetrated into today, explained the chairman of the Germans Bishops' conference on Christmas Eve according to the sermon text published in advance.
"And while we celebrate Christmas, this message lives and can reach people today in their nights, so that no one has to despair."
In many places in Rhineland-Palatinate, church services had to be celebrated differently than usual due to the pandemic, sometimes outside or purely digitally.
The President of the Evangelical Church of the Palatinate, Christian Schad, said before Christmas Eve: "Despite everything, the Christmas message will find its way into people's hearts."
Protective measures and hygiene concepts are being used to respond responsibly to the challenges of the pandemic.
With alternative offers, communities ensured that this festival would also be a source of strength and consolation for many in difficult times.
"Love and hope become concrete in the fact that we show consideration for one another and protect life."