This year, the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity is once again offering a special Christmas card. This design comes from Christ Church at the Theodor Schneller School in Amman, Jordan. When you buy this card, you are not only sending festive greetings but also helping children and young adults in a meaningful way.

The profits from the sale of the Christmas card go to the EMS Future Fund for Education. The EMS uses this fund to provide direct support for children and young adults. Whether it's fair educational opportunities, safe shelters and a roof over their heads, help for families in need or empowerment through participation – buying the Christmas card is a sustainable way to help improve the future of children in the world.

The stained-glass window “The Adoration of the Wise Men” in Christ Church at the Theodor Schneller School on the outskirts of Amman has a remarkable and eventful history. It is a story of flight and loss, but also of hopeful new beginnings. In 1910, the congregation of St. Luke’s Church in Leipzig donated the window to the church of the Syrian Orphanage in Jerusalem. The institution – a predecessor of today’s Schneller Schools – had recently burned down to its foundations and was painstakingly rebuilt with the help of many donations. Only thirty years later, during World War II, the British Army occupied the building. In 1948, it was taken over by Israeli forces and used as a barracks. The window, along with other furnishings, was subsequently stored on the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem.

Finally, in 1959, the stained-glass window found its way to Jordan, to the newly established Theodor Schneller School. In 2007, it underwent extensive restoration there. After a long journey, the three wise men – often interpreted as kings – had at last reached their destination.

Christmas Card Meditaiton

The card comes with a meditation by Rev. Dr Uwe Gräbe, Head of the Middle East Unit and Managing Director of EVS, who reflects on the history of the stained glass window: “Where opposition gives way to cooperation, the spirit of Christmas becomes apparent. This is where God's devotion to humanity is revealed, and even stories of flight in our time can end happily.” (Read the accompanying meditation here.)

Get your EMS Christmas card for just €1.50 plus shipping from the EMS shop and support the Future Fund for Education. The fund finances projects that provide education, shelter and participation for children and young adults who are particularly disadvantaged. To the EMS-Shop.

You can also support the Future Fund directly by making a donation. You can use our online donation form here. The security of your information is our top priority. We currently accept donations by direct debit, instant bank transfer, credit card or PayPal.

Would you like to keep up-to-date with the progress we are making with the Future Fund? Would you like to know how much money the Christmas Card Campaign will raise and what projects we will be supporting with the funds? Then sign up for our newsletter! It provides regular updates on the wide range of EMS activities, including development projects, education and peace-building initiatives, as well as news from church, mission and theology.

Do you have any questions about your donation? We are happy to provide you with more information in person - by phone or E-mail.