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