Viktor looked busy as he scaled the metal pole to put mineral water bottles into a shaped wire structure. Viktor, a member of the Pasundan Christian Church in Depok, was so excited to see the result of the church community’s hard work – a tall Christmas tree made of mineral water bottles.

“We built a Christmas tree made of mineral water bottles to remind people about global warming,” Viktor said, adding that the 10-meter-tall tree was built using 5,000 to 6,000 mineral water bottles.

In the center of the capital city, the Christmas committee of the Jakarta Cathedral began preparing decorations for Christmas Mass on Monday.

Samin is a regular face who can be seen at the church ahead of major religious festivities. The 69-year-old said he had been hired to maintain the rattan pews over the past eight years.

Near the back row of the pews, a number of parishioners solemnly prayed in front of a replica of the Pieta Statue, undisturbed by the Christmas preparation activities.

A stronger Christmas ambiance might be found in shopping malls across the city, welcoming shoppers who want to buy gifts for loved ones. Mall Ciputra in West Jakarta, for example, gives visitors a feast for sore eyes with a 30-meter-high Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas! Best wishes for the coming year.

Photo and Words by: Donny Fernando