The Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Christian Community held a Joint Christmas Celebration for the Catholic and Protestant academic community of UGM. This year’s celebration, themed “Love That Brings Harmony and Unity,” took place at Grha Sabha Pramana on Thursday (Jan. 15). The joint Christmas celebration opened with a Christmas worship service led by Father Patrisius Mutiara Andalas, SJ, and Pastor Sundoyo.
UGM Vice Rector for Education and Teaching, Professor Wening Udasmoro, who attended the celebration, stated that humanity today lives in an era of extraordinary technological abundance.
“In this era, it is often said that anything can be created. Yet, on the other hand, there are dark clouds of war everywhere, and disasters and conflicts occur in almost all regions,” the vice rector said.
Professor Udasmoro noted that conflict is also evident among netizens on social media platforms, where people attack and insult one another.
She viewed this situation as a new global habitus, including in Indonesia, with profound consequences that render both humanity and nature increasingly devalued.
As a proponent of Émile Durkheim’s perspective, Professor Udasmoro believes that religion can address these challenges. Émile Durkheim’s view of religion recognizes the existence of a true moral force, positioning religion as a means of promoting peace.
Any religion, she said, is fundamentally anti-violence and anti-conflict. Therefore, the peaceful nature of religion must continue to be echoed and practiced collectively. Everyone can emulate the traditions passed down by religions and the noble cultural values that already exist.
“It is time for religion to truly move away from purely pragmatic behavior. Merry Christmas, and may the peace and light of Christmas illuminate every family at Universitas Gadjah Mada,” she concluded.
Father Patrisius Mutiara Andalas stated that celebrating Christmas within the diverse UGM community, across faiths and cultures, places Christ’s love at the foundation for fostering harmony, building unity, and nurturing mutual respect and peace.
In this way, Christmas is understood not merely as a celebration, but as a living testimony of faith expressed in shared life.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya