“Light the Candle of Love, Journeying Toward Hope Through Compassion.” On December 25, 2025, we will once again encounter one of the most anticipated days for Christians in Indonesia: Christmas Day. As we all know, Christmas is essentially a moment for Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, which, according to historical records, was formally established in the fourth century by Pope Julius I.

Although Christmas is a holy day that brings blessings and positivity to us all, at the close of 2025 we are confronted with realities that can be described as bitter and difficult to face. Friends of UNDIRA are surely aware that our country is currently not in a state of well-being.

The condition of our society, which is far from prosperous amid the hustle and bustle of the economy and the pervasive influence of capitalism that shadows our daily lives—compounded by various tragedies falling like unending embers—has caused us to lose sight of the positive essence of life as it should be. Amid the darkness of disasters sweeping across the archipelago, the message of Christmas becomes ever more relevant and profound. Christmas is not merely about grand decorations or festive celebrations.

The birth of Jesus Christ, portrayed as the beginning of a new life, also carries the meaning of hope for how we face new chapters in our collective lives. Hope, although it may carry a relatively shallow connotation and be easily invoked to encourage the human spirit, does not, in truth, arise spontaneously without the deep interconnectedness of human beings with one another.

The message of Christmas rests upon three main pillars: unconditional love, peace that surpasses all understanding, and hope toward genuine well-being. The birth of the Light, depicted as the beginning of new life, serves as a metaphor for all of us not to surrender to circumstances. It teaches us that every bitter ending is, in fact, a seed for a new and more meaningful chapter.

Hope, though it may sometimes sound clichéd or hollow to those who are suffering, truly possesses transformative power. Genuine hope does not descend instantly from the heavens without our involvement. It flourishes through chains of compassion among people. When we are willing to extend our hands to those who are marginalized and open our hearts to those who are wounded, it is there that the true meaning of Christmas is realized.

Christmas is a moment to recognize that we do not walk alone; we have one another to strengthen each other as we weather the storms of life through selfless love and compassion—values we cultivate together to nurture new hope that will illuminate our path in the days ahead.

As expressed in the words of Scripture, let us remember that those who are now walking in barren darkness will one day see a brighter path, according to God’s promise as written in the Bible:

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:1)

Celebrating Christmas is not merely about remembering an event of the past, but about bringing that “Light” to life through our concrete actions today. By carrying the spirit of inclusive love and sincere compassion, we are not only helping others, but also lighting candles of hope to illuminate new pages in the year 2026.

May the peace that surpasses all understanding always accompany our steps, transforming every sorrow into strength and every challenge into a path toward true well-being. Merry Christmas, and welcome a year filled with renewed hope for us all.