Tis’ the season to be jolly!

Before the year ends, Christmas Day looms, bringing joy and merriment, where Christians around the world celebrate the commemorative day of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is also a day where family gathers, gifts are exchanged, and love and laughter are shared.

Christmas isn’t a season, it’s a feeling

The origin of Christmas stems from the birth of Christ, and each year, Christians throughout the world celebrate the joy of the day. Christmas also brings a feeling of sentiment, as it is the climax before the year’s end. Whenever one thinks of Christmas, it is followed by counting down to the days until the New Year — a symbolic gesture of welcoming new resolutions.

Christmas is more than just a celebration. On this day, churches are filled with believers wanting to commemorate the special occasion. Malls and cafes are thronged with patrons celebrating the season. As the saying goes, ‘Tis’ the season to be jolly’, gifts are exchanged with people to show appreciation towards each other for the year spent together.

Whether it is a feeling of reunion, gratitude, or happiness, Christmas brings out different cheers and evokes different feelings for different individuals. New Sarawak Tribune recently reached out to three individuals, who each shared their thoughts on what Christmas means to them.

A memorable festivity

Ryan Han and his wife.

Every year, 35-year-old Ryan Han looks forward to Christmas, as it is his and his wife’s favourite festival. As Christians, celebrating the occasion is important, and it is also the day the couple will reunite with the wife’s side of the family in Limbang.

“Christmas is the time when we would fly back to Limbang and have our year-end holiday there. Normally, we will be there for almost two weeks before returning to Kuching.”

He also said that Christmas would be the time they spent with friends and family after a whole year of being busy with work. “We don’t see each other much during the year, so the time the year ends is the time we meet up and have fellowship.”

Han, his wife and her niece pose for a photo.

Each year, upon reaching Limbang by flight, Han would drive to the town and have Limbang’s famous kolo mee before heading back to his wife’s home. “There, we would greet every family member, even the nieces and nephews. They are always excited to know that my wife and I are back home. We would have fun with them and bring them to the mini market to buy their favourite snacks, hotdogs and others.”

Han also added that the kitchen would be the busiest section of the house, with freshly baked cakes and delicious food preparations made by his in-laws. On the eve of Christmas, Han and the family would be at church, singing, having fellowship, and then counting down to Christmas.

“The following day, we will be visiting house to house, catching up with family members, neighbours and friends. Then we will bring my wife’s sister or nieces or nephews that needed stuff and bring them to go get it,” said the emcee and yoyo performer.

To Han, spending time with his family during Christmas is an important event not to be missed.

A day to enjoy scrumptious food

Sherrie Pui

As a food lover, Sherrie Pui always looks forward to fetivities and celebrations when she gets to visit many houses to enjoy the delicious food and speak to friends and family all at the same time.

Nonetheless, Christmas is also important to her as it signifies Jesus, the Lord and Saviour, who was born on Christmas day. “I loved celebrating Christmas with my family and friends to commemorate Jesus’ birth, and be thankful for the presents that He has blessed me with all year long,” said the medical interpreter.

The 34-year-old also enjoys the time spent decorating the Christmas tree, preparing gifts for her loved ones, and the fruit cakes she gets to eat each year. “My annual routine is to go to church, then visit my friends and family during their open house sessions,” she added.

Christmas then and now

Former journalist Jacqueline David commented that Christmas nowadays isn’t like back in the day and that it was truly different from a short decade ago. “It has now turned into a commercial season, unlike before, when it was all about spending time with our family.

“I feel like the celebration has slightly lost its magic today, as it is not about the true meaning of Christmas. Hence, I would like to rekindle that memory of when Christmas was about love, sharing and giving, and the One that should be glorified,” she said.

Jacqueline David

To her, Christmas reminded her of the importance of giving and sharing among friends and family. “Through Christmas, we know that Jesus’ birth is the beginning of great things in the world. It is generally an opportunity to think about the world and the reason for our existence. From a young age, when my parents were still around, it has always been a season filled with love.”

According to her, weeks before Christmas, everyone will be busy with Christmas shopping, baking and adorning the tree with beautiful ornaments. “There will be an exchange of Christmas presents, for which we will set a limit of RM 30 and above, something affordable for each family member.”

On Christmas Eve, Jacqueline and her family would have dinner together before attending the Christmas service at church at 9 pm. The following day entails a celebration of joy and merriment as family and friends visit her house for more Christmas cheer.

“We will sing carols and there will be more and more food. We usually hold the unboxing session early, so it will be on Christmas Day. This year, we plan to just have a BBQ lunch where all of us will be just wearing our shorts and T-shirts, so everyone will mingle around and help with the BBQ,” she added.