“It's the Most Wonderful Time ....

" What I want for Christmas is a new watch from this Santarina ! "

Christmas in Malaysia is celebrated by nearly everyone of the multiracial multireligious communities of the country. In a land where Islam is the official religion with other religions being allowed to be freely practised. (Half the population of 26 million are Muslims). Christmas is an official public holiday in the government calendar along with the other numerous religious festivals celebrated throughout the country each year.

Thus, Christmas in Malaysia do truly means different things to different people. Common to all would be shopping, holiday, feastings and visiting friends and relatives in their homes, also known here as "Open House". Every family would certainly have some friends, colleagues and relatives who are of a different faith and religious belief. But all would join in whatever the festivity that is being celebrated at any given moment.

Christmas time is also a very busy time of the year. Shopping malls would be crowded with eager shoppers not necessarily for the last miniute Christmas shopping but for the annual Year End and Stock Clearance Sales that are seemed to be held by every vendor from the small sales kioks to gaint hypermarkets. Traffic crawls along the streets and highways are common at this time of the year as this takes place during the 6 weeks year end school holidays.

Hotels are the other business that would also be busy and full at this time of the year. Events and activities are planned and created by these hoteliers to draw the local and foreign tourists to spend their money in their premises.

As a Christian in Malaysia, I remember my days as a child during Christmas time of singing Christmas carols and practices for concert in church. Then there is the night time carolling going from house to house of the various church members that would last till early morning. Carolling time would gives us the opportunity of getting to know the young female members of the church, where they stay and their families.

After a few carols and a short prayer for the family, we would be treated to food that were prepared by the family, while at some homes it would be more of a feast. Needless to say at the end the carroling we would be dead tired and stuffed.

Our home would have the traditional Christmas tree in the hall. Certainly we look forward to opening our Christmas presents that we received. Not only from our parents, relatives and friends but also from the Sunday School and church.

Have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year (Felix Navidad y el Año Nuevo)