Introductory Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at 2020 National Christmas Celebration, Sunday, 27 December 2020 from the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java

May peace be upon us all,

Shalom,

Distinguished Christians from all over Indonesia,

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Christmas celebration is rather different than that in the previous years which saw a very merry celebration.

We must implement social restrictions and adapt to new normal.

We are restricted from meeting families and friends, as well as from doing mass prayer during Christmas, from studying at schools and working at offices.

Distinguished Christians,

As believers, we should never give up when our burden gets heavier. People will light up candles in every Christmas celebration.

The light from the candles reminds us that God is always be with us.

For that reason, I invite all Christians in Indonesia to always keep the hope alive since God the Most Merciful give us power to ease our worries and to face this difficult times.

Nevertheless, we cannot only wait. We must work hard to follow health protocols and protect ourselves, our families and friends from the infection of COVID-19.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Christmas celebration can also serve as a momentum to do self-reflection, to remind ourselves about the blessing of God, that all people must love, protect, and take care of each other.

Christmas can be a start for us to deliver God’s compassion to those in needs, to help others, take care of others, and spread kindness for the country and its people.

Thus, I hope all Christians to light a candle of sweet kindness that lifts the darkness and brings a spirit to recover from the pandemic.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May God’s light always shines our way.

Thank you.

God bless us. (RAS/MEP)