by Made, age 9 from Bali, Indonesia, asks Santa about A Christmas Carol, Indonesia’s islands, and religious diversity in Indonesia.
Made from Bali, Indonesia
Dear Santa,
My name is Made, and I am nine years old. I live in Bali, Indonesia, where most of my neighbors celebrate Hindu holidays with beautiful temple ceremonies, but my family puts up a small tree because we are one of the Christian families on our street.
Dear Made, a small tree standing proudly on a street full of temple offerings sounds like exactly the kind of neighborhood I love visiting, everybody celebrating something meaningful, side by side.
I hope you and the reindeer are ready, because my mother says the workshop must handle letters in more languages than anywhere else on Earth.
More languages than I can properly count, Made, though the elves have gotten remarkably good at reading excitement even when they cannot read the words.
Santa, I have some important questions.
First, what is A Christmas Carol about? My teacher read us part of it in class and I want to know how it ends.
It follows a grumpy, stingy man named Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited on Christmas Eve by the ghost of his old business partner, followed by three more spirits showing him his past, present, and possible future. By the end, Scrooge wakes up a changed man, generous and warm hearted, determined to keep Christmas spirit alive all year long. It has been teaching that same lesson, that it is never too late to change for the better, since 1843.
Second, my teacher says Indonesia has more than seventeen thousand islands. Is that true?
It is true, Made, Indonesia is home to more islands than almost any country on Earth, which makes my Christmas Eve route through your part of the world wonderfully complicated in the best way.
Third, do you visit Hindu families too, even though they do not celebrate Christmas?
I certainly visit your street, Made, and I always admire the offerings and ceremonies happening right alongside your tree. Kindness travels well between neighbors, whatever each family believes.
Fourth, my mother says Indonesia officially recognizes several different religions, not just one. Is that true?
It is true, Made. Indonesia officially recognizes six religions, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism among others, and families of different faiths often live side by side, as they do on your very own street. That kind of everyday respect between neighbors is really the heart of what I hope every child learns at Christmas.
Fifth, do you like Balinese food, or do you only get cookies here?
I have been offered quite a bit more than cookies in Bali, Made, and I will simply say a warm plate of nasi goreng makes for an excellent midnight snack between chimneys.
I also have some follow-up questions.
Do the reindeer like flying near volcanoes?
They keep a respectful distance, Made, though Bali’s volcanic peaks make for a truly stunning view from above.
Is it true Bali has thousands of temples?
It is true, and each one glowing with its own offerings at night is one of the most beautiful sights on my entire route.
Do you visit every island in Indonesia?
Every single one with a child waiting, Made, no matter how far out to sea.
Do you like the sound of gamelan music?
Very much, Made, it drifts up even at rooftop height, one of the loveliest sounds anywhere I fly.
Thank you for reading my letter, Santa. My mother checked my spelling but the questions are mine.
Your mother raised a thoughtful letter writer, Made. Keep noticing how your street celebrates together, differently and beautifully, that noticing is exactly the spirit of the season. Merry Christmas to your whole family.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Made Wijaya
Bali, Indonesia
P.S. Does Scrooge ever meet you in the story?
Not directly, Made, though I like to think his change of heart would have made him a very generous host if I had stopped by that Christmas morning.
