Around 10,000 letters have already arrived at Himmelstadt’s Christmas post office. Gaby Schmidt, the Bavarian State Government’s Commissioner for Volunteer Work, served as the guest of honor to apply the coveted special postmark—popular among stamp collectors—to the first official Christmas reply envelope this year.
Volunteers are Incredibly Important for Bavaria
The member of the Middle Franconian state parliament (SPD) also thanked the thousands of volunteers who, not only at the Himmelstadt Christmas post office but across the entire Free State, selflessly dedicate their skills and time for the good of society throughout the year. Gaby Schmidt called the role of volunteers “indescribably important.” “We are the federal state with the highest number of volunteers. Often, these are people who have ideas for improvements and participate in making them happen. The work of the Christmas post office is something very special, because it deals with the wishes and concerns of children, giving them a place to turn to. That’s why we are very pleased to have representatives of the Christ Child here in Himmelstadt,” Schmidt noted.
Wishes for World Peace and Family Health
The volunteer helpers of Himmelstadt’s Christ Child have already processed several thousand letters this week. And every day, more than 1,000 new ones arrive. They are often touchingly decorated letters containing wishes. In addition to toys, children frequently wish for world peace and health for their families, reported the post office’s long-time manager, Rosemarie Schott. Special letters, for instance those dealing with family problems or sick relatives, are answered personally by Schott herself, as always. She often lies awake at night, pondering how to respond sensitively to letters with complex problems without raising the children’s hopes too high.
Letters to the Christ Child from All Over the World
Letters from more than 130 countries arrive at the post office of this small Lower Franconian town every year. This year, letters have already arrived from, among other places, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, and Africa. For some reply letters, the helpers even provide translations. Most replies are sent in German or English. Letters to the Christ Child must arrive in Himmelstadt no later than December 17th to receive a reply by Christmas Eve, according to Deutsche Post.
The address for letters with Christmas wishes is: An das Christkind, 97267 Himmelstadt.
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