The night smells of cinnamon and raclette. Christmas lights are shining, people clinking glasses with mulled wine at the Christmas market. Smartphone buzz in his jacket pocket: bombs go off in Ukraine. East Africa is experiencing the worst hunger crisis in 40 years. And we have a climate and economic crisis. In just three months, inflation pushed 71 million people into poverty.
How are we going to celebrate Christmas at a time like this? Can we hide the suffering of the world, comfortably wrap ourselves in warm cotton wool, sing Christmas carols, bake biscuits, look forward to many presents and a hearty Christmas feast?
“Advent and Christmas are times of hope and peace,” says ethicist Markus Zimmermann (60), a professor at the University of Freiburg. A time to show us that we are not alone after all. “If we don’t celebrate Christmas anymore, we as a humanity will be much poorer than we already are because of senseless wars and suffering.”
Opening doors and rethinking ideals
Ruth Baumann-Hölzle (65), head of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Ethics in Healthcare, recalls the essence of these holidays: the Christmas story. It is being forgotten more and more in the secular world. The resulting incompletely meaningful narrative void is filled by consumption and trips to distant lands during the Christmas period. The Christmas story shows us what it means when people in need knock on doors and keep doors closed. “It reminds us of our responsibility towards vulnerable people – and it couldn’t be more relevant.”
The ornate tree in the living room, the opulent dining table: most Swiss celebrate Christmas on a small scale. Baumann-Hölzle states that it is a tradition that can be re-evaluated in times of crisis like this and in general. “Christmas should be celebrated with open doors and hearts.”
Anyway: the ideal of a thoughtful and peaceful Christmas time also creates pressure. Baumann-Hölzle says: “It’s emotional and during the upcoming Christmas season, there are often conflicts within the family.” This can be painful. But it’s also a chance to reflect on our relationships and clarify how we want to reshape them. “We are not perfect. Realizing this opens up space for forgiveness, setting boundaries and new beginnings.”
A festival of humanity – beyond religion
Zimmermann sees it as a sign of happiness and liberation when young, healthy and intelligent people buy Christmas gifts and enjoy mulled wine on the brightly lit Bahnhofstrasse. Even outside of religion. “It would be nice if more people could experience this happiness, whether in Ukraine, Yemen, Ethiopia, northern Syria, just a few scenes of war.”
Because even without religious considerations, Christmas has a deeper meaning: In hectic times, it creates community, joy, mutual interest, and some peace. The ethicist says: “Christmas is a celebration of humanity.” No matter what religion you belong to, no matter what religion you belong to. This is exactly why, despite all the war and suffering, we should celebrate without a guilty conscience.