Theologian Söding found the Christmas message to be very topical

KNA: Professor Söding, what does Christmas have to do with migration and flight?

Thomas Söding (Vice President of the lay umbrella organization Central Committee of German Catholics and senior professor for the New Testament, Ruhr University Bochum): The topic of migration is part of the DNA of the Christmas story. Because the Holy Family – ignoring all historical-critical concerns – must leave their homeland for Bethlehem. The Magi come from the East and bring treasures from their homeland with them to this newborn baby Jesus. You will not be rejected or despised, you are welcome. They are more explorers than migrants. The message is clear: Even outside of Bethlehem there are valuable, important, large, beautiful and fragrant things.

Later the Holy Family has to fly to Egypt, it is the place of their salvation. You will be welcomed abroad. Jesus and his parents are also on the move. On the one hand, they are open to receiving people from abroad, and on the other hand, they are forced to set off; they are displaced people.

KNA: Hospitality, openness – what other values ​​does the Christmas story convey?

Söding: The motto of Christmas is peace, peace on earth and the glory of God in the highest. This message is more relevant than ever because we are experiencing a tremendous upsurge in religiously coded domination around the world that is spreading mischief. But the Christmas message is about a God of peace. This peace is spread by people who are themselves vulnerable. They are victims who feel God’s strength to endure injustice and respond not with hate but with blessing.

On the ethical level, values ​​such as peacefulness are elementary, which is reflected in hospitality and in the ability not to write off people who are strangers, but also to recognize them as neighbors. And across all possible borders of religions, languages ​​and cultures. This is not a diffuse humanity, but rather a close-up perception: I let strangers approach me and discover my neighbor in them.

KNA: Given the current debates about migration in Germany, the EU or the USA, one might think that this message has been forgotten. Has Christmas become pure folklore?

Söding: Not quite. Christmas is also a time of big fundraising events. They are an expression of mercy, sometimes sentimental, sometimes honest. There is nothing against folklore – and nothing against celebrating Christmas with the family, although unfortunately we see that there is a lot of violence in the closest circles at Christmas. But I am convinced that dealing with the religious roots of the festival can help. Nobody leaves the Christmas service aggressive.

KNA: Isn’t there still a contradiction when people in this country celebrate Christmas and at the same time want to more or less isolate themselves from migrants?

Söding: Yes, that is difficult to understand. Over the past ten years, many people have come to us, especially from the regions where the Christmas story takes place. Some of them are Christian. How great this is is still too rarely recognized. But they bring their own songs and liturgies, their faith. This enriches our entire society.

However, the vast majority of refugees in this country are Muslim. Christmas is an opportunity to look for the points of contact between religions. The Quran also has a Christmas story not unlike the Christian one.

I celebrate Christmas against no one, but with many and for many. Anyone who uses Christmas to stir up xenophobia is abusing the holiday and has not understood it.

KNA: The Christian Democrats are taking a tough position in the migration debate. Does that still fit the “C”?

Söding: One should not make a 1:1 derivation for realpolitik from the Christmas Gospel. Nevertheless, it is a highly political text because the focus is on the little ones. With the Christmas Gospel behind me, I demand two things from politicians.

Firstly: not to make refugees scapegoats and blame them for problems that affect society as a whole, for example a lack of living space. Unfortunately, this happens, especially with the AfD and also with the BSW.

Second: Offer realistic solutions that respect human dignity, legally and ethically. Unfortunately there are failures, even in the political center. This worries me because it endangers social peace.

KNA: Do you see the “C” party as having a particular responsibility at this point? After all, the CDU could provide the future chancellor.

Söding: Of course, anyone who has the “C” in their name must face the demands of the Christian gospel. But CDU or CSU bashing is not appropriate. There are real problems that need to be solved. But I doubt that the solutions lie in Rwanda. Anyone who pursues politics seriously must be able to differentiate.

KNA: Differentiate.

Söding: We currently have three different migration movements.

Firstly from Ukraine. We provide humanitarian and military aid in the country. But we also take in many people who are flying before the war. You may have to make adjustments when it comes to the significant benefits of the German social system. But who will change the principle that we help refugees from a country that is being invaded?

Then, as part of the EU freedom of travel, many people come to us, for example from Romania or Bulgaria. They have to find accommodation too.

They often go where others already are – understandable. If we don’t want this bubble formation, Mediterranean patrols won’t help, then we have to look at EU law. And derive duties from rights.

Thirdly, there are people who are fleeing war, hardship and oppression, especially from Afghanistan, Syria, Turkey, the Maghreb states or from sub-Saharan Africa. The less we do for peace, environmental and development policy, the larger the number becomes. Our society would not be overwhelmed if we took integration seriously and enforced the law.

At the moment these movements are overlapping. But you need precise answers. There are. Despite all the problems, we must not forget that migration can be good for our society – far beyond reducing the shortage of skilled workers. But you need integration, communication and qualifications. Religion can, it must, help.

KNA: The Central Committee of German Catholics, of which you are vice-president, has called for an objective debate on migration issues with a view to the upcoming federal election campaign. There was also criticism of that.

Söding: We showed our flag in the ZdK: for the validity of human rights, against xenophobia, against scapegoat rhetoric.

Yes, there was criticism that we did not sufficiently reflect on the implementation problems of our demands. But we are staying on the ball and working on the topic in our election tests.

Above all, we as ZdK have one responsibility: We have to obtain majorities for the protection of minorities. We have to look for the places where we can make an impact. This is also the marketplace. But this is also the often maligned office where work is carried out cleanly. We must support integration efforts, the key to this is education. I really like how much volunteer work there is already, especially in the churches.

In terms of foreign policy, appeals are important so that the compass is not lost. But more important is the implementation. This is only possible with Europe. The Christian community of Sant’Egidio is setting up humanitarian corridors for refugees from other countries to Italy – because politics there is not constructive. I am betting that we will not have such framework conditions in Germany after the next federal election. Otherwise the churches will be in very different demand than they are today.

KNA: Do church officials, the bishops, also have to make their voices heard more?

Söding: It’s not a question of volume, we already have too many loudspeakers in the political arena. The sound makes the music. This means that people clearly express their fellow humanity. The church’s task is to strengthen social cohesion, but also to open up to international solidarity.

Demands and expressions of good will are not enough.

The church must become politically active on two levels: Firstly, it is important that it remains the driver of voluntary commitment throughout society. Secondly, it must support policies that do not scare people, but also do not create illusions. This includes the ability to differentiate. We should wish all people well, but we cannot do good to all people.

That’s why we have to concentrate on what challenges us but doesn’t overwhelm us: human solutions.