The 2025 Sternsinger charity campaign is off to a dynamic start this January, with children across Germany spreading blessings and raising funds to support children's rights worldwide. Under the motto, "Erhebt eure Stimme! – Sternsingen für Kinderrechte" (Raise Your Voice! Carolling for Children's Rights), the initiative highlights the pressing issues faced by vulnerable youth globally.
Across various cities, from the tranquil streets of Brilon to the vibrant town of Duderstadt, over 300,000 children have signed up to participate. On January 4, the children from Brilon, for example, set out door-to-door to share blessings and collect donations for underprivileged children. This year's campaign emphasizes the necessity of children's rights, with statistics underscoring the stark realities many children face: "250 million children, primarily girls, are not attending school," as stated during local press events.
The festivities kicked off with preparation meetings, where the children learned about their role as advocates for children's rights. According to Kerstin Burchard, one of the team leaders, "So lange unser Konzept so gut läuft, machen wir weiter," meaning the successful formula for youth engagement will continue as long as they can inspire the younger generation.
Campaign activities vary from city to city. For example, children will perform at local markets, and visit homes to deliver blessings and perform songs. Following their blessings, they provide the symbolic chalk inscription "20*C+M+B+25" which translates to "Christ bless this house." This year honors the legacy of the Three Kings tradition, recognizing its importance as part of Germany's intangible cultural heritage.
Mayor Thorsten Riehle of Mannheim welcomed the contributors to the charity campaign with open arms, emphasizing their message of solidarity. “The rights of children must be continuously strengthened and their implementation must be advanced,” he asserted, making it clear how pivotal the campaign is for local and global outreach.
The participating children, ranging from ages six to sixteen, have expressed enthusiasm over helping their peers. "We bring the blessing for the year 2025," shared several children adorned in colorful royal costumes reminiscent of the iconic Three Kings. Their dedication to the campaign reflects the passion and commitment shared by their peers nationwide.
Local churches play a central role by organizing locations for blessings and coordinating events where children can gather and celebrate together, creating bonds and awareness around their mission. Each group typically comprises about 20 children supervised by adult coordinators, who guide them through their house visits and performance to instill confidence and responsibility.
Beyond collecting donations, the Sternsinger aims to educate themselves and their communities about children's rights based on the United Nations' Children's Rights Convention. They highlight the need for education and protection, pointing to areas such as Turkana, Kenya, where access to schools remains limited. Every visit fosters engagement and raises awareness for these issues, encouraging collective action across different regions.
Each community anticipates the Sternsinger’s visit with open hearts, showing generosity and eagerness to support the cause. The campaign’s organization emphasizes the importance of every blessing delivered and every donation collected, which goes directly to projects aimed at uplifting disadvantaged children worldwide.
Through the years, the campaign has cultivated lasting traditions, uniting communities with the spirit of charity and selflessness, all anchored around the sacred motto of bringing blessings to those who need them most. With every step these children take through their neighborhoods, they remind everyone of the power they have to make positive change.
Indeed, the Sternsinger campaign serves as both a celebration of community and as a resounding call to action for children's rights. The urgency of their work resonates deeply, as current global issues demand immediate attention. City after city, home after home, the children spread hope, one blessing at a time. The campaign will continue its efforts until January 12, moving from door to door, symbolizing unity and compassion.
Preparations for next year are already underway, with children and families reflecting on their involvement amid the growing need for advocacy for children worldwide. Their pledge to return highlights community empowerment, implying they are committed to fostering future generations who will continue the legacy of the Sternsinger movement.