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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Editorial -- Page 4