NATIONAL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION 2023 SHOULD BE A MOMENTUM TO MAINTAIN WORLD PEACE

DBK, Surabaya— National Christmas celebration 2023 is an opportunity to promote peace throughout Indonesia and even around the world. According to Budi Arie Setiadi, Chairman of the National Christmas 2023 and Minister of Communications and Information Technology (Menkominfo), the joint theme for Christmas 2023 from PGI and KWI is "Glory to God and peace on Earth.

"This theme comes from the verse of Luke 2:14, which reads: "Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth among those who are pleasing to him."We also hope for peace on Earth. Regarding the National Christmas celebration, Budi Arie said that since the time of President Sukarno and President Suharto, the celebration has always been held after December 25 or between December 27 and 29 each year.

The Directorate General of Christian guidance and the Directorate General of Catholic guidance of the Ministry of Religious Affairs collaborated to organize this year's National Christmas. It will begin in early January 2024. According To Rev. Gomar Gultom, M.Th., Chairman of the communion of churches in Indonesia (PGI), Christmas is held from December 24 evening or precisely December 25 until the second Sunday of January, in accordance with the ecclesiastical year.

He also stated that, according to the calendar of the ecclesiastical year, Christmas lasts from December 25 to the second Sunday of January.

Chairman of PGI, Rev. Gomar Gultom, said that various cities had organized a National Christmas before the city of Surabaya was chosen as East Java. However, it was never held outside Jakarta on the island of Java.

Therefore, the Minister of communication and Information and the Minister of Religious Affairs chose to hold the event in Surabaya, East Java. In addition, he stated that they hope that Surabaya will become a symbol of harmony between religious communities, saying, "We hope that Surabaya, which has been harmonious for several years, will be even more harmonious with the existing diversity."Rev. Gomar stated that it was everyone's hope.

Angela Tanoesoedibjo, Chief Executive of Natal Nasional 2023, said that Natal Nasional 2023 will be very different because it is held inside the church. 

In addition, the capacity of the Bethany Nginden church building and equipment supports this condition. "Therefore, this is the most suitable place for us to hold the 2023 National Christmas celebration this time," he said. 

Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in a press conference, Director General of Christian guidance Jeane Marie Tulung, and Director General of Catholic guidance Suparman also attended.

(PR Directorate General Of Christian Guidance)

News Sources : ( https://bimaskristen.kemenag.go.id/news-720-perayaan-natal-nasional-2023-jadi-momen-teguhkan-perdamaian-dunia.html )