Why I have a Christmas tree in my house

My kids and I know that having a Christmas tree in our house and exchanging gifts among friends cannot shake our faith in the one true Allah who we believe in.

COMMENT

A few years back, my children and I went shopping at Mid Valley Megamall when we came across a gorgeous Christmas tree displayed at the centre court.

“Christians are so lucky, ma,” my 10-year-old son said as he admired the Christmas tree.

Pretty shocked with his statement, I took a while to respond.

“Ya, ma. It’s so nice. They get to buy presents and receive presents from everyone. So much fun!” my daughter added.

“And we have to fast for one whole month!” said my boy with bulging eyes.

At that moment I knew I had two choices – I could tell them God would be displeased with their statements. Or I could respect their right to have their own opinions.

“Do you wish to exchange Hari Raya for Christmas?” I asked in a relaxed tone.

“Err…ma, I don’t think we can do that,” said my girl. “We are Muslim. We have to puasa and celebrate Hari Raya. Kalau tak nanti masuk neraka”.

Having faith in my kids, I asked, “Who chose the clothes and the shoes you are wearing today?”

“We did. We picked it ourselves”.

“And who chose to shop at Mid Valley?”

“We did.”

“So you get to choose most things. But who chose your religion for you?”

“No one. We were born Muslim. Right?” asked my daughter while my son looked confused.

“Remember who put you in my tummy?” I asked my boy.

“Allah did!” he was quick to answer with a big smile.

“Yes, and it is Allah who decided that you should be born a Muslim,” I explained.

“So it is Jesus who decides Christian babies are born as…well, Christians?” my girl raised her eyebrow.

“Well, technically, there is only one God. Different people call Him using different names but He is One,” I explained.

“Wait,” my daughter stopped me, “If Muslims, Christians and everyone else share the same God, why did God decide I be a Muslim and not a Christian?”

“Because I am a Muslim. When God made you my daughter, I taught you to be a Muslim too, just like me,” I answered, knowing exactly what my daughter would say in response.

“So it was not God who made me a Muslim. It was you, right? It was your decision,” she was quick.

“Well, I like to believe that God intended you to be a Muslim, that’s why he chose to place you inside my belly, knowing I will be your mother and raise you as a Muslim”.

“Does that mean we HAVE to be Muslims?” asked my boy.

“Don’t you like being a Muslim?” I knew I was talking to 10- and 12-year-olds but I was intrigued.

Both my kids looked at each other.

“You know how sometimes I buy you something and you don’t like it? Like the sports shoes I got for your birthday – you hated it. Remember?”

“Yeah…”

“If you don’t like something, it is fine to say you don’t like it. We can talk about it,” I persuaded them to open up. I wanted to know what was on their minds. “Do you like being a Muslim?”

“Of course. I cannot imagine not being one,” they said.

“Yeah, I like going to sembahyang Jumaat with my friends. And terawih too!”

“Puasa is fun too. We get to sahur while watching Disney Channel and go Bazar Ramadhan for berbuka puasa. And we also get to balik kampung for Hari Raya.”

“So in a way you are lucky to be Muslim – you get to do all that cool stuff,” I smiled.

“Yeah….but it’s still nice to have a Christmas tree in our house and get presents.”

“Do you think Allah will be mad at us if we got a Christmas tree and Christmas presents?”

I looked at both my beautiful children and there was only one way I could answer them, “Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim – do you remember what it means?”

“Ya, it means ‘dengan nama Tuhan yang Maha Pengasih lagi Penyayang’. We learned it at school.”

“So do you think Allah who is a ‘Pengasih’ and ‘Penyayang’ is gonna be mad at you for wanting a Christmas tree and presents?” I asked.

There were huge smiles on their faces.

Today, seven years later, the tradition continues. Our Christmas tree is readily displayed in our living room, fully decorated with shiny ornaments and blinking lights. There are presents under the tree for our friends and close family members. Every Christmas Eve, we invite friends who do not have any plans to join us for dinner and a few rounds of Charades and Taboo afterwards. Christmas has become a celebration for us to appreciate those in our lives throughout the year and strengthen our bond with them while we await the New Year.

My kids and I may have a Christmas tree in our living room and a Christmas wreath hanging outside our door; we may enjoy singing Christmas songs, watch Christmas movies and exchange Christmas gifts, but we are Muslims and our faith is only towards Allah S.W.T.

Merry Christmas, everyone!