Christmas was peacefully celebrated in all corners of the

Christmas was peacefully celebrated in all corners of the
globe, including Indonesia, where -- two years ago -- churches in
several towns were rocked by bombs, which killed 19 people.

Millions of Christians in the archipelago felt secure to go to
church to celebrate Christmas, despite warnings from the United
Kingdom to its citizens living in Indonesia not to visit churches
on Christmas Eve. The governments of America and Australia had
also warned of possible fresh terror attacks on Christmas Eve.

The Bali bombings on Oct. 12 spurred the authorities to
tighten security at churches, but the most impressive thing was
that two days before Christmas religious leaders met to express
their wish for peace and their rejection of violence. The meeting
was held at the headquarters of Muhammadiyah, the second largest
Muslim organization in the country.

In East Java, thousands of members of Banser, the militia
belonging to the Nahdlatul Ulama, the largest Muslim
organization, were fielded to safeguard churches.

In general, Christmas celebrations in all parts of the world
went off peacefully and smoothly, but not in Bethlehem, the town
where Jesus Christ was born. It is ironic that Christmas in
Bethlehem was tense and gloomy as Israeli soldiers continued to
besiege the town. No bell ringing and no Christmas carols. "This
is the worst Christmas for the past 50 years," a 62-year-old
citizen said.

-- Koran Tempo, Jakarta