By : Samuel Christian Galal )*
The 2024 Christmas celebration was peaceful and festive throughout Indonesia. The momentum reflects harmony between religious communities and the strength of tolerance in maintaining national unity.
Various elements of society show their concern and support, creating a conducive atmosphere for Christians to carry out worship and celebrations solemnly. With this maintained atmosphere, people can reflect on the deep meaning of the values of love and hope contained in Christmas.
The Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, said that Christmas celebrations are not just religious events, but also a means of reflecting the values of love, peace, and hope. Christmas provides an opportunity for all elements of society to strengthen their commitment to religious tolerance.
The harmony that is realized during Christmas is concrete evidence of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. Various parties from different religious and cultural backgrounds help maintain the comfort of Christians during mass and other worship services. Not only that, the presence of various interfaith elements is also a real reflection of the strong values of brotherhood.
Puan also emphasized the importance of respecting differences as a foundation for living together. Tolerance is the key to building a peaceful nation. Mutual respect and listening can reduce the potential for conflict due to differences in views.
Thus, society can live side by side in harmony, where each individual feels safe in practicing their beliefs. This message is relevant not only for the Christmas moment, but also as a guideline in living everyday community life.
Full support for the success of the Christmas celebration was also conveyed by the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri), Muhammad Tito Karnavian. The Minister of Home Affairs emphasized the government’s commitment to creating a conducive atmosphere during the 2024 National Christmas celebration.
The holding of the peak event at the Indonesia Arena, Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, is real evidence of the synergy between the government and the community. In addition, a series of social activities such as providing assistance to disaster victims in East Flores also demonstrate the spirit of sharing love. This momentum is a reminder of the importance of social solidarity which is the core of national values.
In his view, the involvement of various parties, from local officials to the general public, is a key element in creating a successful celebration. Tito also reminded the importance of anticipating technical obstacles, including weather, for the smooth running of the event.
The celebration not only reflects religious spirit but also strengthens national unity. Cross-sector collaboration is an important factor in ensuring the success of this celebration.
The General Chairperson of the Ansor Youth Movement, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, called December the month of tolerance. Christmas and New Year celebrations are always a touchstone for diversity.
Interfaith harmony must be realized in real terms, not just jargon. The government has played an active role in protecting religious freedom according to the mandate of the 1945 Constitution.
Mutual respect is the essence of diversity, where every person has the right to practice their religion without interference. This statement emphasizes the importance of real implementation of values that support national unity.
The 2024 Christmas celebration was not only celebrated solemnly by Christians, but also supported by people from various backgrounds. The presence of interfaith elements who helped maintain church security showed how strong the spirit of togetherness was.
The harmony is further felt when the government and community organizations work together to ensure the celebration runs smoothly. Support from local communities to the national level is a strong evidence of the sense of brotherhood that is rooted in society.
This year’s Christmas theme, “Let Us Go Together to Bethlehem,” symbolizes the call to build true brotherhood. The presence of people from various regions of Indonesia at the peak of the celebration at GBK shows that the spirit of unity remains a priority.
In fact, online participation from regions such as Papua, East Flores, and North Sulawesi, shows how closely connected the regions in the archipelago are. This is a reminder that technology can also be a bridge that connects various communities across the country.
The success of the 2024 Christmas celebration is a reminder that diversity is a wealth that must be preserved. Tolerance is not only about accepting differences, but also creating space for all parties to live side by side in harmony.
By upholding the spirit of togetherness, Indonesian people prove that differences in beliefs are not an obstacle to unity. In this context, national values celebrated through religious harmony provide inspiration to the international world.
This year’s Christmas celebration has become a real manifestation of the nation’s noble values. The harmony and tolerance that are established during the celebration provide new hope for a more peaceful and united future.
As conveyed by the nation’s leaders, maintaining brotherhood and mutual respect is the key to creating a better Indonesia. This success also serves as a basis for continuing the tradition of celebrations that bring happiness and unity in the future, creating a strong foundation for the next generation.
)* The author is a contributor to the Gala Indomedia Institute