TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Christians across Indonesia are celebrating Christmas today, Thursday, December 25, 2025. Decorations have been adorning Jakarta Cathedral for the past two days as over 10,000 attended its Christmas Eve Mass last night.
Christmas 2025 has become a moment of deep reflection for the church and the Christian community in Indonesia. The Communion of Churches in Indonesia, together with the Indonesian Bishops' Conference, has set the theme for this year's Christmas as "God Is Present to Save the Family."
This year's celebration is different for some of the victims affected by the floods and landslides in northern Sumatra last November. Some of them had to celebrate Christmas in shelters. Here's what to know about the Christmas celebrations in Indonesia:
Christmas 2025 Theme
Quoting the official website of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia and the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI), the two groups have both set the theme for Christmas 2025 as "God is Present to Save the Family," taken from Matthew 1:21-24.
The General Chair of PGI, Reverend Jacklevyn Manuputty, explained that the theme was born out of concerns about the plethora of issues faced by modern families. Various vulnerabilities, such as online loan sharks, online gambling, domestic violence, divorce, and economic pressures, have eroded the integrity and warmth of family relationships.
Therefore, he said, in this year's celebration, they hope that churches can be present in a concrete way to accompany families experiencing difficulties, without being limited by denominational barriers. The story in Matthew 1:21-24 also depicts how God fulfills His promise of salvation through the birth of Jesus to Mary and Joseph's family.
Jakarta Cathedral Prepares 5,000 Seats
The Jakarta Cathedral prepared approximately 5,000 seats for the Christmas Mass over two days. The church, located in Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta, will hold two masses starting from Wednesday evening, December 24.
The Cathedral Church in Jakarta has increased its visitor capacity to accommodate the community's enthusiasm. The Cathedral Church has a regular capacity of 800 visitors.
The church, inaugurated in 1901, will use all available worship space for this Christmas. "Regarding the preparations for Christmas at the Jakarta Cathedral, we have provided this complex with various rooms and also tents that we have prepared," said the Head Pastor of the Jakarta Cathedral Church, Hani Rudi Hartoko, when asked for confirmation today.
Hani estimates that the Jakarta Cathedral will be filled with visitors tonight. Therefore, the Cathedral has implemented an online registration system to avoid crowding during worship. "That's why we avoid crowding because of people's enthusiasm to enter the church, but with limited capacity, so we use a registration system," said Hani.
Schedule of Christmas Mass Services
The Christmas Eve Mass at the Jakarta Cathedral was held twice on Wednesday, starting in the afternoon at 05:00 p.m. local time. The second mass started at 08:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, today, Thursday, December 25, 2025, the Jakarta Cathedral will hold four Christmas Day Masses. The first mass at 08:30 a.m. will be led by the Archbishop of Jakarta, Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo.
The Christmas Masses will continue at 11:00 a.m. with a special service for children. Then, at 04:00 p.m., there will be a priority service for the elderly. At 06:00 p.m., there will be an open service for the public.
Cardinal Suharyo Calls for Catholic Parishes to Donate to Disaster Victims
The Archbishop of Jakarta, Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, prayed for the Sumatra disaster victims on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, 2025. Suharyo said Catholic parishes in Indonesia are eager to help the displaced residents by making donations.
Suharyo stated that all Catholics are concerned about the disaster-hit communities, especially in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. According to him, the Catholic community is donating to alleviate the suffering in Sumatra during Christmas. "As much as we can. Across Indonesia, all parishes, all dioceses, all Catholic believers are sharing this concern," he said.
Some Sumatra Disaster Victims Celebrate Christmas in Shelters
The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno, discussed the fate of the displaced in Sumatra on Christmas Eve, while inspecting the Christmas mass at the Jakarta Cathedral.
Pratikno mentioned that many people in various regions are struggling with disasters, especially in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, during this Christmas season. "Some are celebrating Christmas far away from home with all its limitations, some celebrate Christmas in shelters," said Pratikno.
He affirmed that the Indonesian government continues to ensure the protection of disaster victims, while fulfilling their basic necessities and restoring damaged infrastructure. "The government is working extraordinarily hard," he said.
Pratikno believes that the joy of Christmas will not turn away Indonesians from the reality of those displaced by disasters in Sumatra. On the contrary, he said, the Christmas moment can strengthen the care for fellow citizens.
Sultan Abdurrahman contributed to the writing of this article.
Read: Prabowo Extends Christmas Greetings; Calls for Unity in Wake of Sumatra Disaster
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