Indonesians celebrate a merry, happy Christmas
Indonesians celebrate a merry, happy Christmas
JAKARTA (JP): Millions of people across Indonesia thronged to churches on Sunday and Monday celebrating Christmas Day.
In predominantly Roman Catholic East Timor, the celebration of the birth of Jesus proceeded solemnly and peacefully. Hundreds of thousands of people attended the Christmas Holy Mass in Catholic churches and Christmas services in Protestant churches.
In his Christmas message, Dili Bishop Mgr. Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo called on the local Catholic community to pay special attention to poor people in villages across the province.
"To make the Christmas celebration significant, let us give time and attention to the poor because God has entrusted them to our care," he said in a speech broadcasted by the state-owned Radio Republik Indonesia and two local private radio stations on Sunday night.
He also called on the local Christian community to imitate the shepherds in their praise for the newly-born Jesus, as it was told in the Gospel, 20 centuries ago.
"The poor shepherds were happy and they considered the news of the birth as God's action to save the world and to take the poor to be His beloved community in Heaven," Antara quoted him as saying.
Belo also called on the local Catholic community to set aside time and attention to develop the younger generation of the province.
"The Church calls on all parents, teachers and other groups in society to play the role good counselors for our youth," he said.
In a separate celebration attended by civil servants, members of the Armed Forces (ABRI) and their families, Belo said a new approach was needed to win the hearts of youths in the province.
"We need a new approach, which is sensitive to the characteristics of the young in the province," he said. "This new approach should not come from the government, heavily laden with advice and instructions, but from families," he said.
Also attending the celebrations were Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung, Deputy chief of Army Lt. Gen. FX Sudjasmin, Air Force Commander Marshall Rilo Pambudi, National Police Chief Banurusman, East Timor governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares and local officials.
In Ambon, capital of the Maluku province, the celebration of Christmas was highlighted by a carnival. Thousands of people went to the streets on Christmas, caroling.
Antara reported that almost all streets across the city were crowded with cars and pedestrians, making noises with paper trumpets and firecrackers.
No serious traffic jams or accidents were reported.
The local people used the Christmas holidays to visit their families and to ask for one another's forgiveness. Moslems were seen mingling in the Christians' merry-making. (rms)
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