The Meaning of Christmas for Indonesian Christians

"If we think more deeply, Christmas for Christians to commemorate and glorify the birth of Jesus, who according to Christian belief Jesus is God and the son of God," wrote HAMKA.

LIKE previous years, ahead of the 2014 Christmas celebration, the parent of Indonesian Protestants, namely the Indonesian Church Association (PGI) and the mother of Indonesian Catholics, namely the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI), issued a joint Christmas call. The following is an excerpt of the exclamation:

“Christmas is a joy for families because Source of Joy chooses to be present in the world through the family. The Son of God accepts and lives the life of a human being in a family. Through that family, He grew and developed as a man who obeyed God until he died on the cross. It is there that God, who is always with us, feels our weaknesses and the bitterness of sin even though he is not sinful (cf.Heb 4:15) ...

“… Christmas: Invitation to Meet God in the Family. Christmas is a time that reminds us of God's presence through Jesus in the family…. In the family where Jesus is present, the weary are refreshed, the weak are strengthened, the sad are comforted, and those who are discouraged are given hope ...

“Let us present Allah and make our families a worthy place for the birth of the Savior. That's where our families are a gift and blessing to everyone; good news to the world. "

Listening to the PGI and KWI Christmas Messages, it is clear that Christmas Celebration is a religious event that is full of the main teachings of Christianity, namely the confession of Jesus as God. Christmas is not just a social and cultural celebration. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God who became human, as they say: “The Son of God accepts and lives the life of a human being in a family. Through that family, He grew and developed as a man who obeyed God until he died on the cross. "

That is the meaning of Christmas for Christians in Indonesia. So, Christmas celebrations openly and on a large scale everywhere, are actually broadcasts and campaigns of Christian teachings, that Jesus is the Son of God. That, God has a son, namely Jesus Christ. The document on the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium, 14) passed on November 21, 1964, at the Second Vatican Council, in Rome, states:

"For the only Mediator and way of salvation is Christ, who is present among us in His Body, namely the Church ... Therefore it cannot be saved those people, who even though they know that the Catholic Church was founded by God through Jesus Christ, as something needed, wouldn't want to get into it or wouldn't stay in it anyway. " (Translated by Dr. J. Riberu, Dokpen MAWI, 1983).

At the heart of Christian teachings are the concepts of "Crucifixion" and "Resurrection" of Jesus. Humans who do not recognize Jesus as God or God's son, must be awakened and endeavored to be baptized. The Ad Gentes document also urges the Second Vatican Council to urge:

"The foundation of this missionary work is taken from the will of Allah, Who" desires that all human beings be saved and recognize the truth. For God is one and one Mediator between God and man, namely the Man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself as a ransom for all people (1 Tim 2: 4-6), "and there is no salvation apart from Him" (Acts 4:12 ). Then all must turn to Him, Who is known by the proclamation of the Gospel, and become members of Him and Members of the Church, which is His Body, through the baths ... Therefore, missionary work today as always has retained its potency and remains completely necessary). (See, Walter M. Abbott (gen.ed.), The Documents of Vatican II, p. 593. Translated text is quoted from Milestones for Direction Guidelines: Documents of the Second Vatican Council, pp. 377-478).

In a speech on December 7, 1990, entitled Redemptoris Missio (Mission of the Redeemer), published by KWI in 2003, Pope John Paul II said:

“The mission of Christ the Redeemer, which has been entrusted to the Church, is very far from being completed. As the Second Thousand Years after the coming of Christ draws to a close, a comprehensive view of mankind shows that this missionary task is still in its early stages, and that we must involve ourselves wholeheartedly ... Missionary activity specifically aimed "at the nations "(Ad gentes) appears to be waning, and this trend is certainly not in line with the directives of the Council and with the statements of the Magisterium afterward.

Difficulties, both internal and external, have weakened the impetus for the Church's missionary work on non-Christians, a fact which should arouse concern among all who believe in Christ. For in the history of the Church the missionary movement has always been a sign of life, just as its decline is a sign of a crisis of faith. "

Based on the Church's Official Documents, it is clear to see the magnitude of the task that Christians carry in carrying out their mission to non-Christians. That is what Pope Paul VI emphasized in his apostolic exhortation, The Work of Preaching the Gospel in Modern Times (Evangelii Nuntiandi), on December 8, 1975, published by KWI in 1990:

"The first proclamation was also addressed to a large part of humanity who embraced non-Christian religions ... Non-Christian religions are all full of countless" seeds of the Word "and could constitute a true" preparation for the Gospel "... We want to show, especially in this day and age, that both the respect and respect for these religions, as well as the complexity of the problems that arise, are not an excuse for the Church not to proclaim Jesus Christ to non-Christians. On the contrary, the Church is of the opinion that these people have the right to know the riches of the mystery of Christ. "

Islamic belief

The Christian belief and propaganda that Jesus is God and the son of God - in the view of Islam - is an unfounded accusation against Allah, God Almighty. Because, Allah is ONE (Ahad); Allah was childless and not begotten. Jesus, or Isa a.s. is a Prophet, is a human being. He is a messenger of Allah, not God and not a child of God. In Surah Maryam, it is stated that giving the character that Allah has a child is a "great evil" (syaian iddan). And Allah says in the Koran (trans.): “Almost the sky fell and the earth was divided and the mountains were destroyed. That they claim that al-Rahman has children. " (QS 19: 90-91).

Muslims are people who are taught to live in a plurality. Since in Medina, Rasulullah saw had built a plural society consisting of various religions. Muslims are asked to be firm in matters of aqidah and worship. Don't confuse and belittle. Because, aqidah is the most essential foundation of life for Muslims. That is why, despite being very kind to Jews and Christians in social relations, the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wassallam taught a firm attitude in matters of aqidah and worship. Included in the issue of Religious Holidays.

In a hadith Qudsy, from Abu Hurairah, the Holy Prophet said: "Allah said:" The Son of man has denied and criticized Me. Though he should not do that. There is also a lie to Me is saying, "He will not raise me (in the Hereafter) as before". Isn't raising it back much easier for Me than creating it the first time? There is also a reproach on Me is saying, "God has taken a child". Even though I am the One and Only place to depend (stand alone). I did not give birth and was not born and there is no one who is equal to Me ”. (Narrated by Bukhari).

Some people may view Christmas Celebration as a socio-cultural event so that it is not directly related to the fundamentals of Christian beliefs. Therefore, they see there is no problem if a Muslim is involved in Christmas celebrations, whatever the form. What is important is not the ritual events, such as attending mass in the Church, and the like. In fact, some figures have the courage to state openly, that it is okay to participate in a kind of Christmas Celebration event. Everyone will be responsible for their opinion. Especially if he is a character, and his opinion is quoted and disseminated here and there.

A Muslim must believe that adultery is a crime, even if it is done consensually. Muslims will also object if there is a massive campaign in the mass media about committing adultery for teenage partners, which is important to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies. So, ask the Muslim, what would he think if there was a large-scale campaign about polytheism in the mass media. Isn't it in the view of Islam that the sin of shirk is the biggest sin that Allah cannot forgive ?!

Due to the seriousness of the error in shirk understanding, the Prophet's companions and Islamic scholars were very careful in this matter of polytheism. Because, this concerns a matter of faith. If faith is corrupted, then human deeds have no value, like a mirage. (QS 24:39). For worshipers of pluralism, who adhere to the viewpoint of equality of monotheism and polytheism, the question of faith is seen as no more important than the question of humanity. To the extent that in this day and age there are people who dare to say that even though they are kafirs, what is important is that they are not corrupt. In fact, not corruption is good. However, corruption is meaningless if he is an infidel and does not have faith. Because, his charity is useless, like dust that is scattered. Some others think syncretically-pragmatically by following all the holidays of any religion, so that they are seen as tolerant and accepted people everywhere.

Regarding the idea of mixing up religious holidays, Buya Hamka said that the tradition of mixing up the Celebration of the General Religious Holidays does not foster religious harmony or build tolerance, but instead fosters hypocrisy. In the late 1960s, Hamka wrote about the suggestion of a joint celebration of Christmas and Eid al-Fithri, because the time was close:

"It is imperative for a Muslim to be very devoted" that God was begotten, and Jesus Christ is Allah. As earlier Christians were told to listen to the Prophet Muhammad peacefully, even though they were taught by their pastors that the Prophet Muhammad was not a prophet, but a criminal. And the Koran is not a holy book but a book written by Muhammad alone. Both parties, whether Christians who are instructed to meditate listening to the Koran, or Muslims who are told to hear that the Lord Allah is one plus two equals one, all are told to listen to things they do not believe in and which they cannot accept ... in essence they have nothing to tolerate. They both sides just suppressed feelings, listening to the words spewed out by their ears. The soul, body, heart, heart, heart, and brain, cannot accept. If the information of the Muslims that the Prophet Muhammad is the Prophet of the last days, the closing of all the Apostles, the soul and body of Christians will say that this statement of the Muslims must be rejected, because if it is accepted we are no longer Christians. In terms of trust there is no tolerance. Meanwhile, the pastor and pastor explained that the inherited sins of the Prophet Adam, were redeemed by Jesus Christ on the cross, and this man was born in sin, and the only way to survive is to believe and love in Jesus. "

That is the quote from Prof. Hamka which he gave the title: "Tolerance, Secularism, or Syncretism." (See Hamka's book, From Heart to Heart, (Jakarta: Pustaka Panjimas, 2002).

When there was a clash with the government over the fatwa "It is Haram to Join Christmas Celebration Together", Hamka wrote a column entitled "Can a Fatwa Be Repealed?" in the "Heart to Heart" column of Panji Masyarakat Magazine No. 324 of 1981. Let us recite some of Hamka's writings:

Can Muslims celebrate Christmas Day with Christians? For the sake of religious harmony? And of course there are people who want to ask: Can Christians, for the sake of religious harmony, celebrate the 'Idul Fitri and Eid' Adha with the Muslim community?

On deeper reflection, Christmas for Christians is to commemorate and glorify the birth of Jesus Christ, who according to Christian belief, Jesus is God and the child of God.

He is ONE of the THREE GODS or TRINITY. If Muslims celebrate this together, it does not mean they believe that Jesus is God, or one in three, or three persons in one…. Now FATWA is leaving from the ulama-ulama, not from the Ulama Council alone, but also approved by representatives from Muhammadiyah, Nahdlatul Ulama, and other Islamic associations, even from the Islamic Da'wah Council (which is affiliated with Golkar) at the meeting. This arises from the unity of opinion that Muslims who participate in the Christmas celebration are mixing up worship, agreeing to Christian faith, declaring Prophet Isa Almasih 'alaihissalam to be God.

And in logic, of course it can be understood, that being there is expressing approval of 'this practice, whether to also burn candles, as they burn, or eat bread which according to Christian ʻaqidah is the flesh of Jesus, and the water they drink. be the blood of Jesus! So the Muslims who attended it by the verse: (Whoever expresses agreement with them, including him in their group) (Al-Maidah: 51).

What is the legal conclusion from this, if not haram? Then act "The fatwa commission, from the Indonesian Ulema Council, one of the chairmen of Al Fadhil H. Syukuri Gazali formulated this opinion and the conclusion came that participating in celebrating Hatal Day is Haram!" Still soft. Because if you pay attention to the contents of the Al-Maidah 51 verse, it is no longer haram, even kafir.

Because at this time it is really about aqidah, it is not a matter of being ignored. The responsibility as a scholar causes the scholars to feel guilty if this is ignored…. The author remembers when the Indonesian Ulama Council was founded (July 1975) a young preacher H. Hasyim Adnan asked: "What are the sanctions if the government does not want to implement a decision from the Ulama Council?"

I replied: "There are no sanctions that we can use. We as scholars are only obliged to do amar ma'ruf nahi munkar. Our obligation before God is only to honestly convey what we believe. Ulama receive inheritance from the Prophets. Therefore we also inherit from the Prophets suffering and humiliation. The sanctions for those who reject the truths we present are not from us. We are only weak humans. The one who holds the sanctions is Allah Ta'ala Himself. "

That was the heart and mind of Buya Hamka in the matter of Christmas Celebration. On May 19 1981, as a feeling of responsibility towards the people, Buya Hamka then resigned as the General Chair of the MUI. On May 23, 1981, Buya Hamka wrote a column From a Heart to a Heart in Panjimas Magazine, No. 325, which he entitled Sincere Intentions. Said Hamka: “Even though I am 73 years old, I do not think for the slightest that I have released myself from a heavy burden, then relaxed on my deathbed. Husnul khatimah, that is the last goal of living in this world. "

That was the affirmation of Buya Hamka towards the end of his life. Hopefully we can take a lesson from him. And, most importantly, our faith and the faith of our families are also preserved. Amen. (Bogor, 26 December 2014). *

By: Dr. Adian Husain

The author is the Head of the Masters and Doctoral Program in Islamic Education - Ibn Khaldun University, Bogor. Weekend Notes (CAP) in collaboration with Radio Dakta 107 FM and hidayatullah.com

Source: https://www.hidayatullah.com/kolom/catatan-akhir-pekan/read/2014/12/27/35852/mentuk-natal-bagi-kristen-indonesia.html