A not so serene Christmas
A not so serene Christmas
The mood is somewhere between insecurity and apprehensiveness
as Christian communities across the country prepare for Christmas
this year. It is not unlike last year, when Christmas Day was
celebrated with the lingering memories of terrorist bombings from
the previous year, when a number of churches nationwide were
targeted, killing at least 15 churchgoers and seriously injuring
96 other innocent people.
The ambience of vulnerability seems to be stronger this year,
only about two months after the Bali carnage -- so far the most
horrible bombing the country has suffered, with nearly 200 people
killed. The perpetrators of the Bali bombings have not been fully
exposed. From some of the suspects apprehended in Sulawesi,
investigators found maps that seemed to indicate plans to attack
churches in different parts of the country.
Church leaders around the country have appealed for self-
restraint from their congregations in celebrating the birth of
Jesus Christ more than two millennia ago. In some areas, churches
have been urged to hold services during the day rather than the
traditional late evening services. Worshipers at other churches
have been notified in advance that they will have to pass through
metal detectors when they arrive for Christmas Day services.
Security forces across the country have disbursed press
statements extolling the increased deployment of security
personnel around houses of worship during this coming Christmas.
This is meant to be both a deterrent as well as a protective
measure.
There is a disturbing feeling of inconvenience, discomfort and
unease surrounding this Christmas, instead of the inspiring
serenity and peacefulness usually associated with the holiday.
The merriness of Christmas has become a luxury.
The Christmas joint message conveyed by the (Catholic) Bishops
Council of Indonesia and the (Protestant) Community of Churches
in Indonesia this year, began with an expression of "hurt
feelings but at the same time hope for recovery".
The hurt feelings are based on the recurring acts of violence,
which tend to be murderous in character. These acts of violence
violate humanity itself and take place in many parts of the
world, including the carnage in Bali.
This is all the more so because the Bali bombings took place
at a time when most of the nation, for numerous reasons, was
caught in a state of uncertainty and insecurity. The majority of
the populace feels strongly that the economic recovery is far
from adequate, law enforcement keeps stumbling, democracy is
inhibited, regional autonomy has not been properly implemented,
all combining to strangle people's welfare. What we have is
increasing unemployment, inept handling of workers, both domestic
as well as migrant, and many other grueling facts of life.
In other words, the political and economic spheres, instead of
promoting people's welfare, have increasingly become arenas of
power and pecuniary struggles. All the while the suffering of the
people continues to multiply and spread.
If Christmas has a meaningful purpose, it should include the
liberation of humanity from suffering and indignity.
With that in mind, we sincerely wish all of you a Merry
Christmas.