Christmas ban a blessing in disguise

It is time that the Malaysian church reclaim the true meaning of Christmas, instead of allowing it to be hijacked by the commercial sector or wait until it is banned.

While it is true that the worldwide Christian community is upholding both Somalia and Brunei in prayer against the religious intolerance and persecution this year, a quiet Christmas is not necessarily a letdown to the churches in these two countries.

Even though the rulers in both countries have clearly showed their lack of respect for other communities, and deviate from the true teaching of religious tolerance as practiced by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who understood what it is to respect the religious minorities living in their midst, the churches in these two countries are also rediscovering the true meaning of Christmas.

What a contrast it is with the late Tok Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat, who is also well-respected amongst the non-Muslim community. The former menteri besar of Kelantan knew how to take care of the people in his state who practiced anything other than Islam.

And, if it is true based on a WhatsApp image that has gone viral, the Sultan of Johor himself had urged the people of Johor to celebrate every festivity in a spirit of harmony, befitting a nation that is multi-racial and multi-religious. Long live the Sultan!

I can understand how the Christian communities in Somalia and Brunei feel, because this year, my family and I decided not to spend too much on Christmas presents and the delicacies such as the ‘Christmas turkey’ and all the Christmas candies.

Because of the inflationary pressure, we had a simple celebration at church on Christmas eve and on Christmas morning, we decided to enjoy some Chinese tea as a family at home. We, too, have been busy with both work and scurrying the kids around for tuition and other activities throughout the year.

In the evening, we plan to visit the fireflies in Kuala Selangor for the children to enjoy God and nature’s ‘Christmas trees’. Although the kids have put up the old Christmas tree at home, there is nothing like what Mother Nature has prepared for them.

After all, we have been singing the song `Christmas isn’t Christmas’ that until you discover its true meaning in your heart, it is not Christmas at all for you.

A blessing in disguise

Therefore, despite the ban in Brunei and Somalia, I am not surprised that the Christian community there finds it a blessing in disguise.

A church friend who is in touch with her friends in Brunei was told that the birth of Christ is celebrated as usual in Brunei and carols are sung more meaningful from the hearts, despite the ban.

Tears of joy stream down their cheeks, because for once, they have re-discovered the true meaning of Christmas.

“No one can take away the true meaning of Christmas from us,” one believer living in Bandar Seri Begawan, who chose to remain anonymous, remarked. “In fact, we had the pleasure of enjoying the true atmosphere of the first Christmas in the quietness of our hearts.”

As salt and light

Yes, while it is our duty to speak up against any form of religious intolerance or evil intents of the rulers against the common people, the intent is not to bring back the secular celebration of Christmas in these countries.

We need to remind the rulers that they are nothing but mere men before the Almighty, and for no reason should they ban any religious activities or impose their religious convictions or trample upon the religious minorities in their country.

According to Rural Poverty portal, Somalia is among the five least developed of 170 countries listed in the 2012 Human Development Index. It faces several obstacles, including long-term civil conflict, the lack of a fully functioning government, and natural disasters.

The government has done little to help rural poverty. It is Christian relief organisations like Tear Fund and World Vision that have collected money to aid the poor. Therefore, for the Christian community to splash money to create the festive mood is, in my opinion, extravagant!

In Brunei, the sultan is supreme, but above him is God. He has to be wise, if he wants to earn the respect of the wider community and not regret later for his misdeeds.

No ruler is above God. In Malaysia, this is first tenet of the national principles laid down by our founding fathers. Whatever he sows, he will reap in return. Any crime against humanity will cause a reprisal many times in return. If rulers want to enjoy the fruits and wealth that the land can yield, they should do everything to promote religious and racial harmony.

History has shown to us that neither the Caesars nor Adolf Hitler, and their great empires survived when they started suppressing the churches and the Jewish community.

First Christmas

For the truly born-again Christians, the true celebration of Christmas has to begin in the hearts. It is a simple heartfelt gratitude towards God above.

We have to remind ourselves, as Christmas day comes to an end, that on the first Christmas day, the birth of Christ took place in a small humble manger amidst all the hustles and bustles of the Roman census.

Both Joseph and Mary could not even find an inn to host the birth of Jesus, yet on this glorious morn, the baby Jesus was born, and visited by both the poor shepherd boys and the wise men from the East.

There was no jingle bells and the snowman; Santa and the red nose reindeer; and the Christmas tree, and definitely no Christmas turkeys to serve on the platter. All these came much later and we have to remind ourselves not to allow these things to crowd out the true meaning of Christmas in our hearts.

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STEPHEN NG is an ordinary citizen with an avid interest in following political developments in the country since 2008. -Mkini