School and The Midway For Christmas Celebration

For thousands of years, Christmas has been celebrated. Thus far, there are two different pFor thousands of years, Christmas has been celebrated. Thus far, there are two different perspectives about Christmas celebrations. Some celebrate it in silence and others celebrate it in splendor. These two views have gotten a lot of public opinion, some agree and some disagree. Fundamentally, Christmas is a commemoration of Jesus Christ’s birth, but of course He was not born in a feast and majestic celebration. If we realize this, isn’t this majestic celebration feel more suitable in the middle of the pandemic situation at present? 

With half of 2020 being struck by the pandemic, our busy activities around the world were halted and the world became quiet in every aspect of life. Our question now, will this pandemic impact our tradition of celebrating the coming of Jesus Christ in 2020?

Let’s look back on how the church community has changed in 2020. Various Protestant denominations have changed their church service from “face to face” into “live streaming” to facilitate people who can’t come to church and have to stay at home. A lot of churches face a lot of trouble and struggle a lot because of their inexperience in conducting online service. Their biggest fear is no longer about whether the service can be conducted or not. It is about whether the church can still take their role in koinonia, marturia and diakonia in these hard times.

SMAK 5 PENABUR Jakarta, as a member of the church, sees this as a crucial and precious thing. For months, they have worked hard for creating the online learning system which has allowed the school to also hold an online service. This also means that virtual service and Christmas celebration are not a problem nor a new challenge, because various school services are still being held and thus has become a new normal in this new online learning system. 

It is just the subject of Jesus Christ whose birth is celebrated during the pandemic is an important thing that we need to recognize. PENABUR, including SMAK 5 PENABUR Jakarta, are encouraged to not be afraid in welcoming and celebrating the presence of The Savior with those who are affected and getting impact from the pandemic. Indirectly, SMAK 5 PENABUR Jakarta has volunteered to invite those who are going through hardship to feel confirmation, consolation, and affirmation in memory of Jesus Christ’s birth. Thus, even in this situation, SMAK 5 PENABUR Jakarta decided to celebrate Christmas neither with splendor nor silence. Our school took the middle ground in celebrating the coming of Jesus Christ with joy, but also spent time in “silence” as a tribute to those who have suffered and fought in these times. School has successfully taken their role in koinonia, marturia and diakonia during Advent and Christmas time in 2020. Hallelujah!  

Written by Juan Gilbert Boeky

Translations by English Department (Angel, Margareta, Florenza)