Last Friday evening, December 20, 2024, the extended family of the Indonesian Bible Society held a Christmas Service and Celebration at the Petra Congregation of the West Indonesian Protestant Church (GPIB), Bogor. The theme raised was "Let us go to Bethlehem" (Luke 2:15), in line with the national Christmas theme set by the PGI and KWI. Six orphanages in Bogor and its surroundings were invited to attend and celebrate the joy of Christmas with the LAI extended family.
In line with the theme raised by Rev. Joel Edward Kloke, the pastor of GPIB Petra Bogor as a servant of the word invited the congregation to realize that as humans we cannot live alone and separately from each other. To achieve common goals and prosperity, we must support each other and develop life in togetherness.
Furthermore, Rev. Joel stated that the invitation to go to Bethlehem together means that we, like the shepherds, develop an attitude of empathy, care and are moved to get involved and provide solutions to the struggles of the people around us. There are still many people whose lives are marginalized, marginalized and not as fortunate as we are. Just as God does not punish in Christmas but embraces, hugs and becomes similar to humans, so we are called to follow the example of Christ. Rev. Joel is grateful that LAI does not only represent the LAI management, the General Chairperson of LAI, Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat-Lebang, expressed her gratitude for the presence of partners and invitations. She also expressed her gratitude for the support of partners for LAI's ministry. She also expressed her gratitude for the hard work of the committee from the start of the preparations, pre-Christmas events to worship and celebrations. Quoting the sermon she delivered, she emphasized the importance of building a spirituality of ugahari, amidst the challenges of the times that offer various choices and conveniences. This year's LAI Christmas Service and Celebration was attended by LAI employees and their families as well as retirees, foundation organs, Main Distributor partners, donor partners, BPK Penabur Pension Fund, Central Christian Guidance, other invited guests and of course the 6 orphanages mentioned earlier, namely: Bina Harapan Orphanage, Bukit Karmel Orphanage, Candranaya Orphanage, Kasih Abba Orphanage, Mulia Kasih Simalem Orphanage, and Benih Iman Orphanage.
Rev. John Tilaar, who was present representing the Director General of Christian Guidance, Ministry of Religion, invited the congregation to live the true spirit of Christmas. With the theme: let us go to Bethlehem, we are invited to go to the situations and conditions of life around us, to see and pay attention to the marginalized. Two thousand years ago Jesus was born in a sheepfold, today Jesus is also present in the manger of our hearts. Are we willing to rush to welcome him like the shepherds? Rev. John Tilaar also hopes that all people will welcome Christmas with joy and welcome the new year with hope. The future is full of mysteries, but living tomorrow with Jesus will give you confidence and certainty.
Merry Christmas.
