Peace, harmony and stability are like "oxygen" for Malaysia and its diverse communities to continue their way of life, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak (pic).
"Without them, we will realise that we cannot breathe, that we have taken something important for granted all this while that is vital in our lives.
"As prime minister, I stress these three elements, and I am committed to do everything possible to preserve them," he said at the national-level open Christmas house at the Esplanade, Penang.
"I am not interested in winning any legal arguments," he said.
Putrajaya has been under heavy criticism locally and globally over the controversial "Allah" ruling in October that prohibits Christians from using the word in Catholic weekly 'Herald'.
The Catholic Church is seeking leave to appeal against the ruling at the Federal Court.
On December 5, Putrajaya and seven Muslim organisations reportedly said they opposed the church's leave application and had asked for two weeks to put in writing their objections.
The Allah issue has, to some extent, made Christians unhappy and at odds with Putrajaya.
Najib said for Malaysia to maintain its peace, harmony and stability, it was better for Muslims and Christians to stress the common ground they shared.
"We should not pinpoint what separates us, but instead look to what unites us.
"Christianity and Islam are the largest religions in the world and both have common origins as Abrahamic faiths."
The concept of God in Islam and Christianity are quite different," he said.
Najib said if the followers of both faiths continue to fight over their differences, it will be harder for them to understand and accept one another's concept of God.
"Therefore, rather than choosing a path that will further weaken us, it is better to stress on our shared common values," he said.
Najib agreed with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who quoted a verse from the Bible about love in his speech earlier.
"Islam also stresses love and mutual respect. If we can find common ground in our different religions, we can preserve peace, harmony and stability," he said, adding that the people should respect each other's sensitivities and feelings.
Najib expressed Putrajaya's readiness to work together with the Penang Pakatan Rakyat government in areas like tourism, putting aside their political differences for the benefit of the people.
Lim in his speech called on all Malaysians to cultivate the spirit of collaboration, friendship, peace and mutual respect.
"Our unity will not be jeopardised as long as we put our trust in our nation, strengthen our hopes for the future and spread love among ourselves, regardless of race.
"We must continue to cultivate our bonds to fend off hatred and extremism," he said while thanking Putrajaya for bringing the national Christmas open house to Penang.
This, he said, shows that both the federal and state governments share a mature and healthy relationship.
Tourism and Culture minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Nazri Abdul Aziz said Christmas strengthens unity and harmony, rejecting negative influences by certain quarters that want to see the people prejudiced and at odds with each other.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup in his speech said Christmas has a deeper meaning than Santa Claus and giving presents.
It is about the spirit of love for God and our fellow man, joy, peace, goodwill, mutual understanding, respect, unity in diversity, as well as remembering those who served and sacrificed for the country, he said.
He expressed gratitude towards Putrajaya's diplomatic ties with the Vatican and for the RM50 million allocation set aside for Christian mission schools nationwide under Budget 2014.
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