The radiant sunshine of southern Gran Canaria is, for many German residents and tourists, a constant source of joy. However, in the heart of December, their thoughts turn to a different kind of sun: the 'Sun of Righteousness' of the biblical promise. The Christmas message delivered by Christian Feuerbaum, tourism pastor for the Evangelical Church of Germany (EKD) in Spain, has become a reflection of the wishes of the German community celebrating the holidays in the Canary Islands.
Pastor Feuerbaum, from the Gran Canaria Parish Tourist Office, used a biblical study method to reflect on the passage from Malachi 3:20, identifying key terms that resonate with the Christmas spirit: sun, justice, salvation, and wings. For the large German community that fills the hotels and resorts of Maspalomas at this time of year, the physical sun is a gift, but the "sun of justice" mentioned by the prophet translates into wishes for balance and social righteousness in the new year. The pastor directly links these terms to Christmas stories: the sun as the light God sends into the world, wings as the angels who announce the event, and salvation as spiritual comfort.
A central point of reflection is the word "fear." The pastor recalls that the message of the angels in Bethlehem is constantly repeated: "Do not be afraid!" For many residents and visitors spending the holidays away from their usual surroundings, this message of tranquility and comfort is especially meaningful, contrasting the serenity of Maspalomas with the worries of the world.
The pastor's message invites the community to carry God in their hearts, to feel His light, and, fundamentally, to "bring His justice to the world." This desire for justice is not only interpreted in a spiritual sense but also aligns with the civic and social concerns often addressed by foreign communities on the island. The message concludes with wishes for a Merry Christmas and "all blessings and peace in the new year," a wish that, under the clear skies of Gran Canaria, takes on a nuance of hope and continuity. The German community thus celebrates a bilingual and sunny Christmas, where religious tradition blends with subtropical tranquility.
