Peace light brings hope: Youth fire brigade sets signs against hate!

Peace light brings hope: Youth fire brigade sets signs against hate!

Bad Birnbach, Deutschland - in Bad Birnbach a light of hope burned, a symbol of peace. The youth fire brigade delivered the peace light that could not be brought directly from Bethlehem this year due to the tense security situation in the Middle East. Instead, the “Christkindl” pilgrimage church in Steyr, where scouts had kept the light for the celebrations. During the ceremonial service in the parish church of Maria Himmelfahr, pastoral officer Teresa Aigner told the traditional 3000 kilometer journey, which usually traces the light back to connect people. "This light overcomes walls and limits," said Aigner, and invited those present to appreciate the diversity of people and emphasize similarities instead of differences.

symbolism of peace

"Hate and discrimination have no chance with us," said Aigner. The members of the youth fire brigade represented the values of helpfulness and friendship, which are of great importance in their community. The service was musically framed by the Jeremiah choir, while the Oberattenbach fire brigade was also strongly represented. On Sunday the peace light led its way to Kirchberg, where it was brought to the parish church of St. Pankratius. Here, too, the youth fire brigade accompanied the transfer of light, and parish Hans Heindl celebrated the service to celebrate the spirit of peace and unity. Aigner asked everyone to establish a “peace network” in order to reduce existing prejudices. The symbolism was made clear by colored ligaments that were stretched out in front of the altar: red for love, blue for loyalty, green for hope, white for joy, black for grief and purple for the handshake of unity.

The emotional highlight of this extraordinary event is undoubtedly the important message that light and peace combine us all - regardless of nationality or religion. In Bad Birnbach, the peace light is not only regarded as a decorative element, but as a powerful sign against the division and for the unity of people. So the light from Steyr gradually becomes a hope of hope in the region, as well as the reports in the articles of pnp.de and parish association-birnbach.bistum-passau.de