Denpasar Cathedral Christmas Messages: Simplifiedness And Concern Are The Core Of The Celebration

Christmas Celebration in Bali (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Bishop of Denpasar Diocese, Bali, Mgr Silvester San again reminded the congregation that simplicity and concern for others are the core of Christmas Day celebrations.

Therefore, when delivering a sermon on the last series of Christmas services at the Denpasar Cathedral Church, Sunday night, Bishop Mgr Silvester San asked the congregation to practice the essence of the Christmas commemoration in everyday life, which was shown, among other things, by caring, compassion, and self-control, especially from greed.

"Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic has been resolved, and PPKM, tightening public health protocols has been very relaxed, maybe soon it will be revoked. However, we are still celebrating the Christmas celebration of 2022 in simplicity as well as in concern because there are many problems facing the world today. However, it is actually the essence of Christmas celebrations whose events actually occur in a simple and far from the gempita," he said.

He continued to explain that Christmas as a commemoration of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ took place in simplicity.

"In the Christmas event, he (the birth of Jesus, ed.) was only greeted by Mr. Yoseph, Mother Mary, and then herders," said Mgr Silvester, quoted from ANTARA, Sunday, December 25.

From the beginning of birth to the end of his life, Jesus lived in simplicity, concern, and poverty.

"When the time comes, Jesus' life is also full of suffering, because he must die from being burned to make up for (the sins, ed.) of mankind," he said in front of thousands of congregants who attended the Christmas mass in person at the Cathedral.

Therefore, he reminded the Christmas celebrations not to be shown the excitement of the party, but to the appreciation of the simplicity of life, and the willingness to live a normal daily life.

"Especially everything is manifested in our attention to those who suffer, those who are lacking, those who lose their human rights. That's true Christmas," said the Denpasar susukupan Bishop.

The 2022 Christmas commemoration at the Denpasar Cathedral on Sunday was attended by thousands of congregants divided into several series of mass ranging from 06.00 WITA to evening. For this year's commemoration, the organizers did not limit the congregation's visit, but the cathedral asked the congregation who was sick to attend mass sessions virtually.

Although it does not limit visits, the Cathedral asked all congregants who take part in mass directly to wear masks and comply with health protocols.