Christmas greeting

two shepherds
are on their way
their journey makes sense
because they have a destination

hoping they are
our two shepherds
otherwise they would not be on their way
they have already experienced it
setting out is worthwhile

they are out and about with their sheep
carrying them on their shoulders
perhaps they are lame on their feet
tired or ill

on the way
pointed out by the star
on the way to the child
in the manger
we need each other

Let’s not lose sight of the goal together

Let’s set off together

full of hope
towards the goal

let’s carry
together
those who need us
and cannot do it alone

We send you warm greetings from Sießen for the upcoming Christmas season.

The Holy Year 2025, which Pope Francis proclaimed and placed under the theme of hope, will be solemnly concluded by Pope Leo XIV on January 6, 2026. In the many large and small events over the course of the year, we Franciscan Sisters of Sießen have tried to keep the light of hope burning. In a meeting with the younger sisters of our congregation in South Africa at the beginning of the year and in our Extraordinary General Chapter in August, we were able to experience joy, confidence and fulfilled hope.

Now the shepherds take us on the way to the child in the manger, to “God with us”, who has come so incomprehensibly close to us in his incarnation.

Strengthened by the hope that this child gives us, we are entering the year 2026, which will bring important changes for our congregation. From August to October, the General Leadership and the Provincial Leadership will be elected in rotation. We also want to walk this exciting path together as hopefuls. God will show us who will lead our congregation in the future.

We pray to them and to us that we may be inspired by the shepherds and set out again and again full of hope. Let us remain united in prayer.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and the experience of God’s blessing every day in 2026

Sr. M. Karin Berger – Sr. M. Tanja Lohr . Sr M. Emanuela Tieze

The original greeting in
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