A meaningful Christmas
Christians all over the world tomorrow will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. And as birthday celebrations go, it is a festivity that calls for the best and the brightest.
In the northern part of the world, nature provides the necessary setting to make a serene and white Christmas. But even in the other part of the world, it is not too difficult to create a similar setting, complete with a light adorned Christmas tree.
Increasing wealth only helps to add sparkle to the festive and very much enjoyable atmosphere, to the benefit of modern business, which makes use of the gift buying season and further promotes it as such.
To some extent Christmas has become a universal festivity. In a recent survey conducted by The Jakarta Post, a Moslem respondent living in Jakarta said: "Everybody can enjoy Christmas holidays because in December the city is decorated with colorful lights and Christmas trees and ornaments. It is a very welcome break."
The whole atmosphere reminds us of the original natalis solis invicti, when the Romans, centuries ago, celebrated the birthday of the invincible sun god, the most powerful of all gods and goddesses in their pagan world. The festivities surrounding the event had little or no religious meaning. The word pagan itself connotes a hedonistic way of life, a delight in sensual pleasures and material goods.
It is said that Christmas was introduced in the fourth century to replace the Roman festivities of the day. However, now it seems that modern Christmas, the dies natalis Christi, probably is not so different from the former dies natalis solis invicti.
It is enlightening that PGI, the association of (Protestant) churches in Indonesia, and KWI, the conference of Indonesian (Catholic) bishops, jointly issued a Christmas message for the followers of this country's minority religion, Christianity.
The message reminds Christians in Indonesia of human deviations and failures which cause the emergence of fundamental crises in life in the form of fear of praying in sanctity and truthfulness. The birth of Jesus Christ was supposed to liberate human beings from hostility, hatred and fear.
In light of the coming golden anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, the leaders of the Protestant and Catholic churches of this country urge all their followers to contemplate what they have jointly experienced as a religious community and as a part of the Indonesian nation.
It has been a fruitful year of living together in solidarity and tolerance. On the other hand, a lot of things are still left undone. Along with believers in other faiths, Christians of this country should consistently pursue efforts to get rid of suspicions and misgivings, which often create exclusivity, narrow-minded fanaticism, and religious fundamentalism.
In order to celebrate Christmas in a truly meaningful way, hostility, hatred and fear must be cleared away and the enriching emotions of compassion, love and trust brought in to take their place.
With this in mind, we at The Jakarta Post wish all of you a very merry Christmas.