JAKARTA - The Federation of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) together with the Indonesian Episcopal Conference (KWI) conveyed a Christmas message for 2025 which emphasized the importance of the role of the Christian family in facing various crises that hit society.
In the 2025 Christmas Message document signed by the General Chairman of the PGI, Pastor Jacklevyn Frits Manuputty and the General Secretary of the PGI, Pastor Darwin Darmawan, as well as the Chairman of the Presidium of the KWI, Mgr. Antonius Subianto Bunjamin and the General Secretary of the KWI, Mgr. Adrianus Sunarko.
PGI and KWI invite Christian families to diligently and carefully listen to and prioritize God's will. This attitude is considered important so that families are able to experience God's work of salvation, have resilience, and become a blessing in the midst of challenging situations.
PGI and KWI assess that humanity, including the Indonesian people, is currently facing various crises, ranging from national issues, humanitarian violence, ecological damage, to problems in the fields of education and culture. According to the two, one of the root causes of the problem is the tendency of humans to prioritize their own desires over God's will.
In this context, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas is seen as very relevant to interpreting and responding to various crises faced by families. PGI and KWI highlight a number of issues that often plague family life, such as separation and divorce, domestic violence, economic pressure, the prevalence of gambling and online loans, drug abuse, and the strengthening of individualism and materialism.
Referring to the Gospel of Matthew 1:21-24, PGI and KWI encourage Christians to actively engage in making the family a space for God's presence and a means of carrying out His work of salvation for humanity.
"The family is where husband and wife take on equal and responsible roles for their spouse, children, and whoever God places in the family. The family is the smallest church which is the place where Christ's love is first lived," said the PGI and KWI Christmas message.
Therefore, Christmas is called the right momentum for Christians to reflect on and experience God's saving work through the restoration and strengthening of family life. PGI and KWI invite Christian families to make the household a place where God's will is heard and carried out, and Christian values are lived by every family member.
"Christian values should be lived by every member of the family. This will have a positive impact on the church, the nation, and the world," wrote PGI and KWI.
Furthermore, PGI and KWI emphasized that through the Christmas event, Christ is present to save the family. Thus, the Christian family is expected to be an extension of God's love for the world.
"With the celebration of Christmas, we experience again the presence of God who saves. Let our homes, our families, be a place for relationships with God and others to be restored, hope to be lit, love to be strengthened, and faith to be strengthened," said the Christmas message of PGI and KWI.
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