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Wed, 18 Dec 2024
JIMBARAN – Widiatmika Middle School held its 2024 Christmas celebration with the theme "Let Us Now Go to Bethlehem" as set by the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI) and the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI). The celebration was simple yet meaningful, emphasizing values of tolerance and diversity within the school environment.
Yanti Romantika Nduru, a Christian Religious Education teacher at Widiatmika Middle School, shared that preparations for this year’s Christmas celebration were carried out within a short time frame with full support from the teachers. Despite the limited time, the school strived to create a meaningful event for all students.
The celebration took place in the school’s arts room on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. The event included a thanksgiving service and the reading of Bible verses about the birth of Jesus. Although there were no artistic performances from the students due to time constraints, the atmosphere remained solemn and memorable.
“Even without artistic performances, we felt fully supported by the school in celebrating Christmas. The atmosphere was truly meaningful,” said Yanti.
In the spirit of diversity, the school also organized a Christmas tree and classroom decorating competition involving all students regardless of their religious backgrounds. This activity not only enlivened the Christmas celebration but also strengthened the relationships among students from various religious backgrounds.
“This competition is a tangible way for the school to nurture diversity and tolerance. We want all students to enjoy the Christmas celebration, whether they celebrate it or not,” Yanti explained.
The Christmas celebration at Widiatmika Middle School was not just an occasion to commemorate the birth of Jesus but also a means to support the character education of students. By involving students from different religions, the school fostered an environment of mutual respect and appreciation.
“Activities like this greatly support character education. Celebrating together without distinguishing between religions creates a harmonious school environment,” Yanti added.
Through this Christmas celebration, Widiatmika Middle School hopes to instill values of tolerance, diversity, and faith in God in its students. Once again, the school has demonstrated its commitment to being a place that fosters harmony and togetherness in diversity.
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