Less freedom of religion and a deepening level of intolerance are issues that occupy Indonesian Christians whenever the holiday comes around. But today’s Christmas Eve is the perfect moment for the followers of Jesus Christ to find reasons to be grateful to God as Indonesians. The picture is not always gloomy, although we may need to make extra an effort to see encouraging signs of development.

We have every reason to be grateful amid the not-so-convincing situation of the national economy.  Remember, despite shortcomings and bad practices during the legislative and presidential elections in February and the simultaneous regional head elections in November, the polls ran peacefully and democratically. Anti-minority and intolerant groups were very much sidelined compared with the divisive 2014 and 2019 presidential elections. Their voices were barely heard this year.

Five nationalist and secular parties won the legislative election. They control 411 of the 580-seat House of Representatives. Three Muslim-based parties, the National Awakening Party (PKB), the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), share 169 seats. Since the country's independence in 1945, secular and nationalist-oriented parties have dominated Indonesian politics. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation but has never been an Islamic state.

The Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace and other civil society groups routinely note in their annual reports that "intrusions into houses of worship" still dominate violations of religious freedom in Indonesia. These acts of intolerance and even hatred are not just widespread at the grassroots levels but reportedly among state officials who have a constitutional obligation to treat all Indonesians equally, regardless of their religion, ethnicity or background.

For the next five years, President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka will lead the country. Their backgrounds are reassuring, and we expect that they will prove their commitment to guaranteeing religious freedom and will take concrete measures to protect all citizens.

For this year's Christmas, President Prabowo has instructed all state officials to ensure everyone can celebrate the holy day in joy and safety.  Vice President Gibran has asked people to immediately report to the government, including himself, any disruption to the religious holiday. The police and other state institutions have been mobilized to ensure people's freedom to celebrate Christmas in churches all across the country.

Pope Francis testified as to how impressed he was with inter-faith relations in this country when he presided over Mass at Bung Karno Stadium during his four-day visit to Jakarta in September. When he visited Istiqlal Mosque he met with Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar. One of the most touching moments during the brief visit was when the imam shook hands and kissed the Pope's forehead. In turn, the Catholic supreme leader kissed his host's hands several times. Prabowo later appointed Nasaruddin as religious affairs minister.

Indonesian Christians have accepted the fact that many of their Muslim compatriots refuse to wish them a "Merry Christmas." This is as a result of an Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) fatwa, a non-binding religious edict, that prohibits Muslims from conveying such greetings because it implies that Muslims recognize Jesus as God. Muslims have the right to practice what they believe to be the truth.

Abroad, we also need to worry about the situation in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. For a second year running, there is no Christmas cheer in Bethlehem, with tourists shunning the Palestinian city and many residents seeking a way out as the Gaza war grinds on. We pray for the Palestinians in Gaza and in the West Bank.

As mentioned in the opening of this editorial, the angel also told the shepherds: "This will be a sign: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger." We also can see signs of good cheer and hope for the future.

Merry Christmas!