Greetings from Pfaffenweiler

Dear citizens of Jasper,

“Year in review“ shows are being televised, one Christmas party after the other, and the radio is playing Last Christmas. The same procedure as every year – that’s Christmas.

But maybe some of you know the feeling of not being yet in the mood for Christmas. What could be the reasons?

We live in a world that has been accelerated rapidly over the past few years. In Germany, there was a tradition called “Christmas Peace“ where you don’t send critical e-mails or schedule meetings to discuss important topics around Christmas. This tradition is dead. Our current working generation only knows permanent reachability, time pressure or spontaneous step-ins. Because of the conditions in the real estate market (sic), these factors usually apply to both parents in a family.

No wonder not everybody finds the time to calm down and reflect weeks ahead of Christmas. But is that terrible?

“Gratitude“ sadly is a rarely used word nowadays. Everybody has their small and big problems, but we don’t live in a country that disregards human rights, or that is being militarily attacked. We do have a roof above our heads and only have to think about how to heat it. And we are able to eat something every day.

Even if you head out of your office, out of your workshop or out of your whatever just in time on the day before Christmas Eve – be thankful for the chance to meet family and friends, for being able to regain strength or just for being out of the daily struggles for a few days.

To be thankful for everything that you have – this message was also being brought to the former citizens of Pfaffenweiler that now live in retirement homes by the local priest, Mr. Schuler, and me.

We, the city and the citizens of Pfaffenweiler, wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Yours,

Lukas Mahler, Mayor of Pfaffenweiler