0 Christmas comes early on December 22

The festive season is here again and thankfully for each and every one of us we are still here to enjoy it. Those doomsayer wannabe Mayans thankfully got it wrong and the apocalypse is on hold, at least until the next prophecy is discovered. The other school of thought of course is that Friday was the dawning of a new age and time may prove that to be true but whatever the reason for our continued existence, it is unquestionably a welcome early Christmas present. 

Christmas in our family has always been a time for giving, a special time where the scattered diaspora reaffirm family ties and rekindle friendships. It is also a time for overindulgence and the occasional bout of bad behavior, the latter excused of course by doting parents and grandparents with inexplicable regularity. My mum is, without question, the undefeated, undisputed world champion excuse maker for all her grandchildren all year round, but especially at Christmas. 

All they need to do is give her the Labrador eyes and she turns to mush and the excuses explode forth like a New Year’s Eve firework display on Sanur Beach-erratic, unpredictable and shrouded in eye-watering smoke. But Christmas in Bali is something different and something quite special, irrespective of your religious beliefs. Where else will you see a 4-meter demonic ogoh-ogoh dressed in Santa shorts and toting a surfboard other than in Kuta? I mean, really where? 

Which, of course, is either a very clever and subtle statement on the evils of globalised religious consumerism; or a stunt to attract those happy Christmas and New Year revelers submerged in a permanent beer haze. Many tourists from all over the world converge on the island at this time of the year and the usual party atmosphere gets even more supercharged, along with room rates and flights. But Christmas has a serious side in Bali and widely throughout Indonesia. 

For the millions of Indonesian Christians it is a deeply religious time and we should be aware that throughout the archipelago people are being persecuted for their beliefs. We should spare a thought for people peacefully praying, whilst armed police and military stand watch and for those who cannot even get into their church. I would also like to personally thank the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) for once again reminding Muslims that wishing Christians a Merry Christmas is haram, after all, Indonesia is reportedly the most tolerant and inclusive secular nation on earth and has no religious intolerance at all, according, if you remember, to the Religious Affairs Minister in July 2012. 

There are, over the coming days, a huge number of events, some are unashamedly commercial and some extremely expensive, but many are in keeping with the true spirit of giving, peace and celebration. Churches are holding carol recitals and services and many hotels and restaurants are holding charitable events to coincide with their Christmas celebrations drawing upon the true spirit of Christmas. Today for example, starting at 5 p.m. at the delightful Stones Autograph Hotel on Jl. Pantai Kuta, 

I will be enjoying the island’s Pink Christmas celebrations; an early evening of free-flow cocktails, carols and canapés with proceeds going to the Bali Pink Ribbon Cancer organization who have just announced the opening of the country’s first Cancer Support Center on Jl. Dewi Sri. The price is a very reasonable Rp 300,000 (US$31.07) with tickets on the door. I hope to see you there. All that is left is to wish everyone a safe and MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

source : bali daily