THE PROCLAMATION of the birth of Jesus opens the mass of Christmas Eve, December 24, 2013, at Bible Centre, Sukajadi, Batam, followed by the procession of Baby Jesus, coloured by the hymn "Silent Night". This song is characteristically Christmas trademark, which highlights every Christmas celebration. Many even say, that there would be no heart touching Christmas without the Silent Night. It happens to another Christmas Eve celebration at the St. Arnold Janssen Church, Bible Centre, Sukajadi.

The mass, characteristically international, is presided by Rev. Fr. Aurelius Pati Soge, SVD, attended by around more than two hundreds faithful. In his homily, Fr. Pati Soge emphasises the core message of Christmas, the divine deepest expression of love to human nature. Apart from human sinfulness, God decides to enter the history to lead all people back to him. It pictures God's commitment and sacrifice, marked by humility and constant effort to unify all his creation into one last and true destiny, i.e. to be unified with him in the Kingdom of Eternity.

Volunteers are great contributors.

Every time we celebrate Christmas at Bible Centre, the greatest challenge is the volunteers that are ready to serve. Most of expatriates are usually home for Christmas holidays. While the working schedule of people very much affects their time for ministry, yet many manage to spare their time and energy to support the celebration. "Probably this is the only thing we can contribute to the community praise and worship", says Carrey, a Filipino teacher, who happens to stay in the country for Christmas while most of her fellow Filipinos are home for Christmas. Thanks to many other volunteers such as musicians, singers, readers, collectors, etc. They are great contributors of the celebration.

Community gathering

Apart from the worship, all faithful are invited to share the Christmas meal, prepared by some ladies of the community, after the mass on Christmas Day, December 25, 2013. I would say that it is the social dimension of Christmas celebration. For a while we experience the sense of unity in diversity, when we see all Indians, Pakistani, Chinese, Filipinos, Vietnamese, Americans, Europeans, Indonesian, Africans, etc. are mixed together. It is interesting to see that we are so different yet we consider ourselves as brother and sisters. All because of one reason, the presence of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word of God. Have a happy Christmas for all. (ap)