NTTSATU.COM — JAKARTA — Acting Governor of NTT, Dr. Andriko Noto Susanto, SP, MP. accompanied by the Regent of West Manggarai Edistasius Endi, SE and Deputy Regent of West Manggarai dr. Yulianus Weng, M. Kes attended the 2024 National Christmas Celebration (PNN) which was held at GBK Senayan Jakarta online from the Hall of the West Manggarai Regent’s Office on Saturday (12/28/2024).
The 2024 PNN with the theme “Let Us Go to Bethlehem Now” was attended by President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the ranks of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the Red and White Cabinet and Religious Figures. Also present online from the Assistant Meeting Room of the NTT Governor’s Office were Danrem 161 Wira Sakti Kupang, Brigadier General Joao Xavier Barreto Nunes, Commander of El Tari Air Force Base Marsma TNI Djoko Hadipurwanto, SE, MM, Assistant for Government and Social Welfare of the NTT Provincial Secretariat, Dra. Bernadeta Usboko, M.Si, Head of Regional Apparatus and ASN of the NTT Provincial Government.
In his speech, President Prabowo expressed his gratitude for the harmony and unity in the diversity of the Indonesian nation.
“On this Christmas celebration in the midst of a world that is currently full of strife and conflict, I invite all of us to be grateful because we are still living in a cool, safe and good condition. I, together with the Ministers and Coordinating Ministers, continue to work hard to serve the Indonesian nation, I am determined to lead a clean government that will protect the interests of the Indonesian people. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Christians, may the Almighty God grant us goodness and peace,” said President Prabowo.
Previously, the General Chairperson of PGI, Rev. Jacklevyn F. Manuputty, in his Christmas Service Sermon said that the theme carried in this Christmas celebration is an invitation to give oneself to the embrace of God’s love.
“The celebration of Christmas is a strengthening of faith through an attitude of compassion, the message of Christmas is that Christians must be steadfast in being a blessing to the nation and pray and continue to strive to build the nation,” he said.
Then, the Chairman of KWI, Mgr. Antonius S. Bunjamin, OSC stated that, “The message of Christmas 2024 is that we can glorify God through actions that bring love in the midst of society and the nation in acts of mutual respect, strengthening brotherhood, so the celebration of Christmas truly encourages us to walk together in faith, brotherhood and compassion. May this Christmas qualitatively change our way of thinking and working so that through words and deeds we glorify God by participating in building the country according to the ideals of independence,” he said.
Meanwhile, the General Chairperson of the 2024 National Christmas Celebration – Deputy Minister of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia, Thomas M. Djiwanono said that this event was attended by more than 11,000 invitees consisting of representatives of ASN, TNI/Polri, Christians and Catholics, Administrators and members of Christian and Catholic mass organizations, Children from orphanages and people with disabilities.
“Through the theme “Let Us Go to Bethlehem Together”, it is hoped that it will be a reflection for Christians on the values of hope, simplicity and inclusiveness. As a form of gratitude and commitment to implementing humanitarian values between religions, Ecological Social Service (Pre-Event PNN 2024) was carried out from November 16 to December 23, 2024 in 5 regions, namely in East Flores Regency, Manado City, Sukabumi Regency, Timika Regency and Asmat Regency, then Interfaith Ecological Action on the Muara Gembong Coast, Begasi Regency and Religious Seminar,” explained Thomas Djiwanono.
For your information, on this occasion, there was also a Lifetime Achievement award for three dedicated Christian figures, including Lieutenant General TNI (HOR) (Ret.) Dr. (HC) Tlopan B. Silalahi, SH as the Initiator of the National Christmas Celebration in 1993 until it was held annually, Aleta Baun who is an icon of environmental and indigenous people of NTT and Sr. Laurentina SDP who is known as the Anti Human Trafficking icon who is nicknamed The Cargo Nun. (sipers adpim)