Popular Pastor on "Holy Night": "A Story That Entices Your Heart"

Created: 11/24/2022, 4:17 p.m

By: Charlotte Borst

"Make room!": City priest Rainer Maria Schiessler wants to briefly address the topicality of the Christmas story as part of his readings.

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The popular Munich pastor Rainer Maria Schiessler reads “Holy Night” by Ludwig Thoma in Taufkirchen and Unterschleißheim.

In an interview, he reveals what drives him to do this.

Taufkirchen/Unterschleißheim - The popular Munich pastor Rainer Maria Schiessler, known for his media appearances, his books and projects, reads "Holy Night" by Ludwig Thoma in Taufkirchen and Unterschleißheim.

The Bavarian lyrical verses that Thoma wrote in 1916 tell the Christmas story in a simple and heartfelt way.

Schiessler is accompanied by the Sieferlinger trio.

But what appeals to the well-known city pastor about the Thoma reading of all things?

How did you get the idea to read Ludwig Thomas "Holy Night"?

Because I speak a nice Munich Bavarian - so without dialect (laughs).

Thoma's 'Holy Night' is a cultural asset.

I heard it as a child in our community in Laim when Gustl Bayrhammer read it.

Otherwise, I would like to point out: Christmas is not an Upper Bavarian event.

One has to warn: This stable was not in Miesbach.

It has something to do with my life, my death and dying and the fact that the Lord God comes to us and gives us the certainty that he will never leave my side.

Thoma put this message in a language that contains a lot of emotion, and that appeals to the listeners.

Does this project have anything to do with your mission as a priest?

Yes for sure.

It is the birth story, written in Bavarian.

It is about the theological statement in the search for a hostel.

And it is important to note that there are no poor people here.

This couple cannot find a place because there was no room for them in the hostel.

Because there is no place for God in the world, because we fight wars, because we run flimsy World Cups, because we run a world economy where most people fall behind.

There is no place for God.

This story is a reminder that Ludwig Thoma attaches great importance to: Make space – in your rooms, and open your hearts by turning to people!

The last four lines are the most important: Think carefully when you go to the Metten

...while the rich lie in bed as the star rises over Bethlehem?

Yes, lying in bed or doing their thing and actually going about their lives because they could already enjoy the presence of Jesus like the shepherds.

In the background of the stage: a picture of Ludwig Thoma's study on his Tegernseer Tuftn.

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Is your reading more of a sermon?

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Yes, I have to restrain myself from interrupting and making comments.

It's real preaching, and that's why I accepted the offer to do it.

Because it's part of my actual work again.

What is the message for the present?

It's a message with music, we want to touch people's hearts, that's what makes Advent so special, that there are events that let us reflect together on the great things that are actually happening there.

There used to be Advent celebrations in the parish, that no longer exists because we no longer have a parish in that sense.

We still have something like this reading, and it would be stupid if the church slipped out of it.

Perhaps a pastor should read this text.

Perhaps there is an introduction to my annotations.

You have already organized many projects during Advent.

Do you also help with money?

I live in a country where priests are very well taken care of, I also have a good income from my books.

Even with the readings, not a cent stays with me.

My earnings go to social projects, I don't need much.

All my fees are gone.

Why do you hold on to an Advent mood?

I last heard 'Holy Night' in the Ludwig Thoma-Haus on Tegernsee, read by Gerd Anthoff.

I won't be able to do it as beautifully as he does because I don't have the acting skills.

It was very nice in this setting, in this wooden house with the scent of mulled wine, you think you hear Ludwig Thoma himself.

And you go outside in the dark, to your car and drive home.

That does something to you.

It is a story that will ensnare your heart and let your soul fly, and you can glimpse paradise.

Dates:

Sunday, November 27, Taufkirchen, 8 p.m., Ritter-Hilprand-Hof, Tel. 089 / 666 722-152;

Saturday, December 10, in Unterschleißheim, community center, 8 p.m., Tel. 089/ 310 09-200.

Tickets: www.muenchenticket.de