It is warm and humid. This is Indonesia. A xylophone ensemble is ironically playing White Christmas. The small group of Indonesians are dressed in red Christmas attire including Santa hats. Somehow it just doesn't seem to fit the environment of palm trees, swimming suits and the open air lobby where birds fly freely about.
The music was very good. It was just hard to envision sleigh rides, Rudolph, and cold winter nights. A local paper commented that Indonesia is trying to adapt to a more western Christmas tradition. I shuttered, not from the cold, but from the news. As I continued to read the story it became obvious what they meant by "western style Christmas." You guessed it--economy! This predominant Muslim country (89%) has a ways to go before they fully understand either western or the Biblical Christmas tradition. Those are not necessarily the same, of course.
It seems that all over the world Christmas celebrations are sought. The real question is: do we know why and Who we celebrate? Why would a Muslim country want to urge its citizens to engage in a western style Christmas unless the purpose is merely economical? Perhaps this kind of change can open a door for the true Christmas message assuming that message is not lost in our own economical challenges repeatedly posted this time of year. Anyway, hearing Christmas songs in Indonesia was a real treat. Now, we can only hope they learn why and Who we celebrate. A Muslim's "Merry Christmas" greeting to me after purchasing a souvenir does not have the same interpretation for me that it would have coming from a fellow believer in Christ. But then again, the Muslim initiated the conversation. Much to ponder!
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