Manado Light’s Up to Welcome "The Light of the World"

KOMPAS/KRISTIAN OKA PRASETYADI

Deer made from wire glow brightly on a diorama stage at the edge of Sparta Tikala Field, Manado, North Sulawesi, in front of the Manado mayor\'s office, on Tuesday (10/12/2019).

The sun had set. However, the bright lights from thousands of lights seemed to replace the sun. The lights brightened the atmosphere before Christmas in Manado, North Sulawesi.

Unlike in previous months, the house of Allo Lapian, 79, looks more lively. Decorative lights spread out on the walls of his yard, emitting a colorful glow of light.

"Every early December, I always install decorative lights in front of the house. My family and I want to welcome Him, who is going to have a birthday," said the man who is familiarly called Opa Lapian in his yard in Kleak village, Malalayang, Manado City, Friday (20/12/2019). "He" that Lapian mentioned refers to Jesus Christ, whose birthday is celebrated by Christians every 25 December.

Christmas is celebrated with great fanfare by most residents of the capital city of North Sulawesi. There are around 322,600 residents of Manado that are Christians or Catholics or around 61.22 percent of the total population.

"Everyone has put up decorative lights since the beginning of the month. My family and I also want to join in on the Christmas festivities," said the man, who will turn 80 years old in a month.

Christmas festivities have been going on since the first week of December. Various walks of life joined in joy with their respective lights. Some installed lights on the Christmas tree on display in front of the house, some hung lights near the balcony. The atmosphere became increasingly lively with Christmas songs played in people\'s homes.

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Around 1,000 civil servants from various provincial offices take part in the Santa Claus rally in Manado, North Sulawesi, on Monday (16/12/2019). The participants walked from KONI Sario field to the Love Tree in Megamas region. The parade was a part of the opening event of the North Sulawesi Christmas Festival, which took place until Tuesday (31/12).

The government does not want to be left behind. The North Sulawesi gubernatorial office, for example, is lively like a square at night. Decorative lights were installed along the edge of the fence about 50 meters long. The canopy poles of the pedestrian area were surrounded by decorative lights, while other decorative lights hung over the edge of the canopy roof.

The North Sulawesi Small, Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives Agency even displayed a human-sized cardboard installation. The installation depicts baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph who are being visited by three wise men with offerings. Artificial pine tree leaves, red and white ribbons, and decorative lights were also installed along the fencing of the office.

On the right and left stood a Christmas tree adorned with ball hangers and red and gold ribbons. The setting of the diorama illustrates the atmosphere of snow-covered forests.

Meanwhile, on the side of the Sparta Tikala Square, directly opposite the Manado mayor\'s office, some deer from wire installation adorned with lights glow brightly on a diorama stage. On the right and left stood a Christmas tree adorned with ball hangers and red and gold ribbons. The setting of the diorama illustrates the atmosphere of snow-covered forests.

The tradition of the residents from all walks of life to welcome Jesus\' birthday with decorative lights encourages some people to open temporary shops selling decorative lamps, Christmas trees and decorations, flowers and Santa Claus statues. One of them is on Jl Sam Ratulangi, Ranotana sub-district, Manado.

The shops seemed to be the center of light throughout Ranotana. A Santa Claus-shaped decorative lamp sitting on a carriage pulled by deer was installed on the roof of a shop. Various types of pine trees and ornaments were displayed on store shelves.

One shop visitor, Yeti, 50, an officer at the North Sulawesi Education Office, bought a gold ball hanger for a 2-meter-tall Christmas tree at her house. Almost every year she buys various Christmas decorations. "The old ones are broken. In addition, every year, I want to change the atmosphere and different color combinations. This year I want a green and golden atmosphere," she said.

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A seasonal store on Jl. Sam Ratulangi, Ranotana, Sario, Manado, North Sulawesi, sells Christmas lights and decorations on Wednesday (11/12/2019). The store has been open since Oct. 16 and will remain open until the end of the holiday season.

Santa Claus

Not only buildings, but public transportation in Manado called Mikro does not want to be left behind. Christmas carols echo from the audio in the public van.

On Monday (16/12), at least 16 Mikro public vans took part in the Santa Claus parade held by the North Sulawesi provincial administration. The Mikro-lights are decorated with lights and the typical Christmas ornaments made from polysterene such as a snowman, angels blowing trumpets and Christmas trees.

"We were only paid Rp 300,000. The provincial administration provided the accessories. Of course, the money that we earn is less than the money we get from transporting passengers. But at least we want to take part in the celebration," said Budi, 41, a Mikro-driver in the city-Karombasan downtown route.

The spirit of welcoming Christmas in Manado is not only realized by Christmas accessories and decorations. At the Protestant churches, especially the Evangelical Christian Church in Minahasa (GMIM), celebrations have been held since early December, such as at GMIM Zebaoth Lower Piki, Kairagi. On Friday (6/12), they had celebrated the pre-Christmas service.

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Decorative lights are installed at a house on Jl. Babe Palar, Manado, North Sulawesi, last Wednesday (11/12/2019). To welcome Christmas, people in Manado have decorated their homes with lights.

"Every week, people are invited to prepare themselves to welcome Christmas as a special worship service. They were invited to hope again and be reminded to live in peace so that the Christmas celebration will be complete," said Reverend Melky Tamaka, who is also the Secretary of the Division of Data and Information Synod of the GMIM.

Christmas is approaching. The people of Manado have prepared long ahead. The arrival of "The Light" was greeted with joy and bright colors throughout the city.