A Christmas musing

“It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Toys in every store

But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be

On your own front door...”

- It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas by Johnny Mathis

Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December each year celebrating the birth of Christ.

Most Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar, which is being adopted in most countries. However, there are some Eastern Churches that celebrate Christmas on December 25 on the older Julian calendar, which corresponds to January 7 in the Gregorian calendar.

There is no disagreement over the date of Christmas, only that on the preference on the calendar used - Gregorian or Julian

In an aside, in 1752, a bill was passed by the English parliament and decreed by King George II provided for Wednesday, Sept 2, 1752, would be followed by Thursday the 14th and for New Year’s Day to move from March 25 to January 1. It was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 and in use in most of Europe.

Nowadays, Christmas is characterised by tinsel-decorated trees, mince pies, present-giving and a turkey dinner. Families would come together to eat, to drink and be merry. Children look forward to a visit from Santa Claus and his sack of goodies.

The commercialisation of Christmas

In some ways, I feel that the religious connotations of Christmas itself are lost.

Christmas is now celebrated for the commerce that it brings, with the purchase and exchange of gifts, the visits of families celebrating Christmas and, in true Malaysian fashion, to feast on Christmas – Malaysian style, if so possible – food.

With the country's warm and wet weather, the chances of snow are nonexistential, unlike the depiction in western movies of a Father Christmas dressed in his red robe, white beard and his booming laughter of "Ho-Ho-Ho" with snow falling gently onto the ground.

This Santa Claus does not exist. He was created by an advertising man in New York, back in 1935, for a Coca-Cola campaign.

It is generally agreed upon that the legend of Santa Claus came about in the early 4th century, in Asia Minor, where a bishop by the name of Nicholas became the patron saint of children in most of Europe. His legend gave rise to the Santa Claus we know today. 

In parts of Europe, he is called Sinterklaas, with a reputation for giving things away, such a small pair of wooden shoes would be left by the fireplace and fill with sweets.

While different countries have their own variations on the theme, a fat man in a white beard and a red suit have pushed them all to the cultural margins.

So what about Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer?

The ever-popular reindeer – some might say, the most popular reindeer of all, came from a story in a booklet written by Robert L May in 1939. The jingle came about later. 

Ye olden days

In my younger days, though, we did not just celebrate Christmas, we looked forward to it.

I recall the week leading to the day itself, the street in front of the then Robinson Departmental Store located along Mountbatten Street, now known as Jalan Tun Perak, would have strings of decorated lights strung across and along the road.

In the late 60s, early 70s, this was very grand. My parents will take us on a drive around Kuala Lumpur along the Jalan Tun Perak to view the magnificent display.

Christmas songs would be playing, songs from Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Dean Martin, Elvis, Jose Feliciano, Frank Sinatra and more filled the airwaves.

And on Christmas day itself, we would be on the lookout for Christmas movies, usually, shown in black and white through our television set. And every once a while, we would have popular shows like The Andy William Show or The Osmonds singing popular Christmas songs.

And even Christmas movies are a treat and carried an underlining meaning to the theme. 

But now, most Christmas movies are shown only for their entertainment value.

And the ever-popular Christmas songs continue to be played. Since then, we have many new ones, and some of the popular classic given a new "twist". 

This Christmas, I would be going through my Christmas songs library for all classic and new versions.

And as Andy Williams once sang about it being "the most wonderful time of the year", and with my Christmas tree up, festive songs playing, one cannot but help but be caught up in the festive cheer.

"It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistltoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When loved ones are near
It's the most wonderful time
Yes the most wonderful time
Oh the most wonderful time
Of the year..." 

---

ONG ENG CHAI is a reader and subscriber of Malaysiakini.