Skip to main content

Light in Darkness by Msgr. PhDr. Ortwin Gebauer

The Christmas season makes us focus on the heartening good news of the angel: ”Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”. (Lk 10,11)

 

Filled with the steadfast faith of our Church bearing this good news of joy throughout times, I write you these lines. God turned human seeks community with his people. He does not leave them behind alone in darkness, need and sorrow and does not keep out of the history of the world, neither your nor my story of life.

 

There might be some who quarrel with their fate who, in hindsight, think: life has not kept what it once promised. They must have had bitter experiences not having attained what they had planned or are not on speaking terms with God or their neighbour living next door.

 

There are many things in our life we could not cope with. We humbly should admit this and not shy away from the truth – especially these days. For Christmas wants to remind us that despite all this we are not alone.

 

If we think that our fate is especially severe and nobody understands us and when sometimes we are a puzzle to ourselves and even frightened of ourselves: the child from Bethlehem does not let us down, but loves us, seeks us and wants to be close to us. Christ shows us the way which gives meaning to each station in life but also to the years of old age when loss of strength increases and the pinnacle of life has long gone by.  

 

Christmas is like a “keyhole through which light shines from our eternal home to our dark path on earth”.  (F.v.Bodelschwingh)

 

The Son of God descended into our night so that we can reach his bright light. This brings great joy!

No matter where we celebrate Christmas: with family or alone, on duty or on holiday, in days of happiness or melancholy memories.

There is a personal message for everybody:” Today unto you is born your Saviour!”

In this spirit I wish you, your family, dependents and friends, and all who are close to your heart, the grace, peace and joy of Christmas with God’s rich blessing for the New Year.

 

Translated from the German by York R. Buttler, Honorary Commander of the CBdSE Office

                                                                                                                             Rhineland

 

December 2021    

 

  • Created on .

Pentecostal Greetings

Dear Brothers and Sisters of our Order,

 

Honoured Friends of our Order,

 

 

Within a few days, Christians all over the world will celebrate Pentecost – the feast of the Holy Spirit.

 

Since the events in Jerusalem, the workings of the Holy Spirit, there has been the Church (churches)

 

for almost 2000 years worldwide, with all its differences, shortcomings and contradictions. But it has been alive and renews itself, ever since again and again.

 

For our Order, the Holy Sprit has been our name’s patron. Remembering its workings can be of benefit in our times.

 

The Corona pandemic has made it clear to us how important community is for us. Modern media can help to bridge distances but cannot replace personal contact.

 

A community like ours lives on personal exchanges.

 

With great pain we experienced renouncing to two General Conventions.

 

We are grateful for communicating in small groups.

 

Dear Members and Friends of our Order,

 

As it appears, we can look into the future with more confidence. Step by step, more contacts will be possible.

 

I would like to encourage all members of our Order to engage in get-togethers  after the pandemic as soon as possible.

 

2000 years ago, a small group of fearful Jesus friends turned into a great world- spanning community within a few centuries. Thanks to the Holy Spirit. This we should be aware of at Pentecost 2021,too, as members of the Order of the Holy Spirit.

 

With confidence and joy we can celebrate Pentecost. My sincere wish to us all.

 

With fraternal greetings

 

Your Grand Master

 

 

Karl-Heniz Kindervater

 

  • Created on .

On the Turn of the Year

Dear Dames, Knights, Friends of our Order,

 

I am sure that 2020 will remain in our memories forever. Who has ever thought of a small virus bringing the whole world out of joint? All areas of human life on earth have been affected by the Corona pandemic.

 

The economy has been slowed down or blocked as are the schools and the cultural realm. People meeting in many associations or institutions has been restricted or has become impossible. Personal communication can take place only sparsely.

Our annual main soiree planned in grand style fell prey to the pandemic. Everything had been planned in detail: welcome evening in the Augustine Monastery, service with the bishop in the cathedral, reception at the Thuringia State Chancellery and a big public ball in the historic Emperors Hall (Kaisersaal) .

Socializing in the Order has been restrained to small get-togethers this year.

For the first time for decades, the days of advent und Christmas as well as the turn of the years will be very quiet in Erfurt. No Christmas markets, no Christmas parties &c.

What will life be like in 2021?

We may be full of hope because vaccines have been developed against Corona worldwide. In the international relations, many things seem to be on the bright side.

In the Middle Ages, the time of Advent was a time of fasting and repentance (turning back). It was meant to prepare for the fest of the birth of Jesus Christ. 

Perhaps we can make use of the Advent time 2020 to give some thoughts to what values are important in our lives. We also should consider what is valuable for our Order und what we can do without.

The message of the angels in the story of Christmas reads: “Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

I wish for all of us to personally experience this message.

A blessed Advent and Christmastime and a good start into the New Year!

OB Karl-Heinz Kindervater                                                                                                                          Erfurt in December 2020
Großmeister






  • Created on .