Deacon Manfred Müller is already known for his unusual advent calendars. For every day in Advent he selects a current or at least contemporary rock and pop song and writes an impulse for it. Now there is a new Advent calendar in book form with the title “Come on, let’s live”.
In 2005 you published your first book, and now your seventh is coming, in which you literally bring “God and the world” together.
Manfred Mueller Yes, my faith gives me a lot of strength and plays a big role in my life, of course also professionally. I try to express in understandable language what this means to me and which paths it shows me.
Your current book “Come on, let’s live” is the result of your love for music.
Music has been with me all my life. I like to sing and also play instruments. Music is understood all over the world, so why not use it for faith? There are so many songs that speak a profound language. The first song by Max Giesinger reminds me of the Bible quote: “He who seeks finds.” We are all seekers, hence my impulse to think about the ups and downs in our own life.
Gil Ofarim sings about: “What would I be without you?” and thanks for the unconditional love in all situations. “Thank you”, this word is used far too seldom, and I would like to encourage you to simply say thank you to a loved one and also show gratitude.
Or the singer Lea: Ingenious, distinctive, genuine and believable and doesn’t fit into any category as Neopop. Inspired by Franz Schubert? “Where should I go?” and replies: “To you.” It is good to know who could be there for you. It is a gift to say openly to someone: “You can go to me.” On that day I then give the impulse to send a link to this song to a person.
Great title, great songs, great lyrics – there is something for every musical taste. What is your intention and who or what do you want to reach?
Of course I try to reach the young and the young at heart through the music and the songs, to name just a few, from Ich + Ich, The Beatles, Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper, Robbie Williams, Sido or Glasperlenspiel. All 24 songs can be heard for free on Youtube. With only five minutes a day, the songs lead through Advent in their own way from December 1st to December 24th. If you listen carefully and read along, you will recognize profundity. The songs are life-affirming, encouraging, giving joy, and you might even find a guide through your own life.
How did you come up with the idea of writing books?
For 15 years I have been writing the “Just a moment” column in the Lohrer Echo. Always on Wednesdays with topics about God and the world, I want to address all people, religious or not, value-oriented. That was the way and my introduction to writing.
Has there already been any response to the book “Come on, let’s live?” After it is now sold in bookshops.
Oh yes, I am really grateful and overwhelmed. The diocese of Würzburg published a press release, which was then advertised by Bayerischer Rundfunk, next week recordings for TV Mainfranken and for the diocese television, Church in Bavaria, then an interview on Cologne Cathedral radio, which is broadcast throughout Germany. Would you write the texts of the previous books in the same way today or would you interpret song texts? Partly yes, partly no, I have also developed further. My life situation has changed, and a lot still appeals to me – just differently. In plain language, I could take the same songs or texts every five years and reinterpret them – according to my life situation. Songs address me differently because I can always associate different experiences with them.
What’s your personal message?
Lotte sums that up with the song “Then there should be love”. What matters is love. The bluesy piece “Find your happiness” by Gregor Meyle collects feelings, wishes, dreams, perhaps in a somewhat kitsch and banal way to show a way to “happiness”. My impulse: Merry Christmas – find your happiness – “Come on, let’s live”.
The conversation went on
Bianca Volkert.
Manfred Mueller
Life Manfred Müller grew up in Retzbach. He began his church service in the Diocese of Würzburg in 1997 and has been a deacon in Hammelburg since May 2019, mainly responsible for Obererthal and Untererthal. He lives with his wife Gertrud in Steinbach near Lohr am Main and has two grown daughters.
The current book “Come on, let’s live – with 24 songs through Advent” by Manfred Müller is available under ISBN 3429055253 in the Bunter Buchladen in Hammelburg and in the Lohr am Main bookshop.
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