“We don’t want to exclude any child or their faith”: Hamburg daycare center paints Christmas tree

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Christmas is approaching. In many places, winter decorations adorn the windows and Christmas trees decorate the living rooms. Colorful lights hang in the streets and the Christmas markets are open. In keeping with Advent, the first snow had already fallen.

But not everyone thinks that Christmas and December belong together. The festival celebrates the birth of Jesus and is therefore firmly anchored in Christianity. Many non-Christians therefore do not celebrate Christmas. To ensure that everyone still feels welcome in a daycare center in Hamburg, an important Christmas symbol has been eliminated this year: the Christmas tree.

The Kita Mobi from the Hamburg district of Lokstedt wants to promote religious freedom with its decision. The daycare explained this in a letter to parents. According to ‘Welt’ it said: ‘We as a team did not choose this because we do not want to exclude any child or their faith.’ The childcare management further claimed that for this reason “Christian festivals are generally not celebrated”. According to their own statements, they were still decorated for Christmas. Crafting with the children even created an Advent calendar.

“A tree belongs to Germany”

The daycare center is owned by the Kindergarten Finkenau Foundation, which operates approximately 30 facilities. The foundation explains to ‘Bild’ that there are no fixed rules for Christmas decorations. Some daycare centers put up Christmas trees, others don’t. Linda Köster, board member of the childcare organization, says: “The team decides which Christmas traditions will be included. This year there was a request from the parent council if there could be a tree. But there were already other plans and then the team decided that enough was enough.”

Despite the good intentions, some parents reacted negatively to the news. Some even talk about “cancel culture.” Father Jose T.* (41) is also disappointed. He explains to the newspaper: “That’s a real shame. The tree is a symbol of Christmas in a Christian country. That’s why we make it cozy at home. We have a big Advent wreath and maybe we will buy a Christmas tree this week.”

Grandma Barbara S.* (74) is also disappointed. She told the newspaper: “A tree is simply part of the Christmas season in Germany. I think it’s sad that the children in this daycare center can’t get one.” (Ms.)

*Name known

Source: Blick