Angels and children enchant Schwenningen: a celebration of love and hope

Angels and children enchant Schwenningen: a celebration of love and hope

In the heart of Schwenningen, the signs on Christmas Eve were all about gathering and the festive spirit. He reported from the Protestant St. John's Church Black Forest messenger, that the service was well attended, while 36 children between the ages of four and 13 brought the enchanting angel nativity play “The Big Yes” to the stage. These young actors brought the Christmas story to life by portraying the roles of angels, shepherds, wanderers and kings. Narrators Merle and Annabelle guided the audience through the plot, which illuminated the protagonists' doubts about their suitability from a heavenly perspective.

In her speech, Pastor Britta Mann-Horváth encouraged the congregation to carry God's unconditional “yes” into everyday life. She appealed to those present to show solidarity and mindfulness as a sign of love. In the afternoon, Christmas Vespers took place in the town church, the musical arrangement of which had to be rescheduled at short notice due to a wave of illness among the choir members. Despite these challenges, the choir under the direction of Christof Wünsch and with musical accompaniment by Michael Hampel on keyboard and guitar offered a warm sound.

Many places – one Christmas

Christmas in Villingen-Schwenningen was celebrated this year under the motto “Many places – one Christmas”. A common internet platform like that South Courier provides a comprehensive overview of the church services and events that took place in the region. This platform, which is supported by the working groups of Christian churches in Villingen and Schwenningen, shows a map with a list of appointments for various church offerings on Christmas Day. Many community members appreciated the opportunity to find suitable locations for their Christmas celebrations, especially during this festive season.

The “Christmas Finds City” project celebrated its third edition this year. Originally launched during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the initiative has now become a regular part of Christmas planning, not only online, but also with personal encounters within communities. Joint feedback from many churches makes it clear that the aim of connecting the different Christian communities in Villingen and Schwenningen is very well received.

Traditions and customs

The celebrations took place in a very special setting. According to an article by Christmas dream Last year, 81% of people living in Germany celebrated Christmas, even if the number of churchgoers is declining. Nevertheless, many Christmas traditions, such as decorated Christmas, nativity plays and the giving of presents on Christmas Eve, are still alive and well preserved.

The tradition of the decorated Christmas tree, which spread from the 19th century, can be traced back to 1419 in Freiburg, while the nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus dates back to the 13th century. Nativity plays, which originated in the 10th century, are an integral part of Christmas celebrations. Another custom is Secret Santa, where friends and family exchange gifts anonymously. Traditional Christmas dishes, such as potato salad with sausages or roast goose, are also very popular.

Overall, Christmas in Schwenningen reflected the solidarity and community spirit that is always noticeable during Advent. The beautiful mix of festive church services, living tradition and the art of bringing the magic of Christmas into people's hearts will never be forgotten.