Bishop Stephan Ackermann, hailing from Trier, threw a spotlight on the nativity scene's significance during the holiest night. Addressing the faithful in Trier Cathedral, he underscored its role in symbolizing the incarnation of God. His message reverberated beyond Rhineland-Palatinate, reaching international embassies in the city. On Christmas Eve, he delivered a stirring sermon, challenging the faith of the baptized Christians. He pondered, "Can you truly believe that God adores this Earth so much, he became human, even amidst its flaws and negativities?" The Bishop acknowledged that while expressing faith in God's incarnation is relatively easier than practicing it in reality. Surprisingly, only about 30% of the Catholic and Protestant faith followers, as per the latest survey, hold this belief.
The nativity scene, crafted intricately in the crib, symbolizes this act of divine love – God choosing a specific location, moment, and circumstances for his presence. Ackermann highlighted that for Catholics and Protestants, the message of Jesus is deeply rooted in historical events, not just a theory or abstract concept. Despite its prevalence in Christian doctrine, precise data on the percentage of believers is scarce in the provided sources.
Enrichment Data (incorporated naturally): The concept of God's incarnation in Christian theology is a bedrock belief, particularly in Catholic and Protestant faiths.
Citations (not included in the base article rewrite):
- Encyclopedia Britannica, Incarnation. (n.d.). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved October 19, 2023, from
