German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier used his Christmas address on December 24 to highlight the importance of community, communication and cooperation, and called on his fellow Germans to work together and help each other in difficult times.
"In der Dunkelheit erstrahlt ein Licht," he said in a televised speech: "A light is shining in the darkness."
For Steinmeier (Germany's head of state as opposed to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the head of the current government), many worries big and small can make the world seem dark: illness, loss, loneliness, job insecurity, or global crises and wars.
But he also said light could be found in "community": family, friends, groups, clubs and any experiences which make people feel welcome and accepted — especially at Christmas, which he said "makes our lives more hopeful, happier, warmer and more optimistic."
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In a world increasingly dominated by social media and individualism, Steinmeier reminded Germans that "we need community" and encouraged them to reach out to one another.
"I believe that if we join others in the search for goals and guidance, we can gain a great deal, provided that we allow others to speak and listen intently to what they have to say, rather than simply reiterating what we ourselves have always thought was right," Steinmeier said.
"Finding a sense of direction by asking genuine questions, being open, engaging in dialogue and taking joint action can illuminate the path that lies ahead of us and give it a purpose."
Steinmeier said that Christmas is a time when friendships, partnerships and family ties are renewed via visits or festive greetings, a time when people are reminded of how "essential reliable companions are" as we go through life.
"And we know that we can trust in lasting connections on both good and bad days," Steinmeier said, while later adding that "we also know that being there for others gives our lives fulfilment and meaning."
There was a political note to Steinmeier's address, too, as the president offered his solidarity to Ukrainians whose suffering at the hands of Russian aggression is approaching a fifth year.
"In recent days, intensive efforts were made to find ways to end the war," he said. "Most of us will have followed the events with hope, but also skepticism and concern."
Nevertheless, he said he drew hope from another form of community: Europe. He said Europeans are required to "become aware together once again of our strength and values and to take action accordingly."
"Over the course of centuries, we have learned how important – indeed essential – freedom, human dignity, a just peace and democratic self-determination are," he said. "We will not give that up, not for ourselves and not for our friends and partners."