However, the current world conditions are not good. The Guardian noted that the splendor of Christmas 2023 in European countries would not be as usual. Many cities are cutting spending on Christmas lights. Some cities in France and Germany turned off Christmas lights earlier than usual to save energy. Even though there are energy cuts in some European cities, the Christmas spirit is still there. Pope Francis, as the leader of the Catholic church traditionally greets the world from the balcony of the Saint Peter Basilica in the Vatican and calls for peace.
In Indonesia, the Christian population is only around 10%. However, with high tolerance, Christmas is always celebrated solemnly and cheerfully. The Association of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), which oversees Protestant churches, and the Indonesian Catholic Bishops' Conference (KWI), which oversees the Catholic church, have announced the theme for Christmas 2023, namely "Glory to God and Peace on Earth". A theme that is considered very relevant to current world conditions.
Meanwhile, Indonesian President, Joko Widodo through the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Efendi also extends the 2023 Christmas greeting. The government hopes that Christmas 2023 will bring peace to the country. Muhadjir Efendi said that the Indonesian nation is a pluralistic country consisting of various tribes, ethnicities, languages, cultures, and religions. Therefore, society must respond to this diversity by building a spirit of togetherness.
Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin also conveyed his greetings for Christmas and New Year 2024 via a video broadcast from the Vice President's Secretariat in Jakarta on Sunday (24/12/2023). Ma'ruf Amin invited Christians to pray for world peace during the 2023 Christmas celebrations.
Merry Christmas to all Christians around the world.