BACKGROUND
The essence of Christmas story is the birth of the Baby Jesus. No one knows the exact time and the place Jesus was born. But long after his death, stories of Jesus’ birth were collected, written down and the growing Christian Church wanted to celebrate his birth and decided that 25th December should be the actual day for Christmas celebration around the world. It is the time of mid-winter celebrations with lights to light up the festival to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ - CHRISTMAS!
Unitarian Universalits are often concerned about interpreting the Christmas festival and all the legends and symbols but the original versions come from the Gospels of Mathew 1: 18=2:12 and Luke 2: 1-20 , about the birth of Jesus bringing the power of love. These are messages of hope in times of darkness, hope in a violent world for peace on earth and goodwill to all men on earth.
CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS WITHIN THE INTERIOR PARTS OF SARAWAK
There are 27 ethnic tribes in Sarawak, most of them like the Ibans, Kelabits, Kayans, Kenyahs, Lun Bawangs , some Melanaus and others celebrate Christmas by attending services in churches. Most of the younger generation working outside Sarawak often go home for Christmas during the year. Some may even have to make a journey of more than four hours by road to reach their remote hometown like the Ba Kelalan highlands in Sarawak. But still the roads to the villages are quite unreachable because of the heavy rainfall that causes landslides during the landas season. With the budget airline like AIR ASIA, the trips are much easier to make.
Christmas celebrations are simple for the Lun bawang who live in the mountains of Ba Kelalan area and the Kelabit in the Bario plateau surrounded by mountains and trees where there are no shopping malls or traffic jams . But their celebration of Christmas is as meaningful as in the big cities. Water buffaloes being referred as reindeers to carry goods along the forest trails to far-flung villages on that occasion is their tradition and the main dish they normally have for dinner on the occasion at the longhouse Yuletide is either barbecued wild deer or boar.
Christmas in the Longhouse
It was a different experience to celebrate Christmas in the Longhouse. It was more a home coming for the longhouse folks getting together and catching up with what was happening in their lives away from home. Then there will be the church get together to sing songs and share their festive foods which are more locally based. Among the various activities organized to celebrate the occasion, the telematch is usually the most popular one. Carols are sung and followed by prayers to bless the fellowship.
“Christmas is indeed a caring gesture” attested Sandy. “The Holy spirit ministers to the people and people are filled with Holy Spirit and feel the sense of joy here.” It is very community oriented and people always look forward to come home for Christmas. They will normally pack some gifts and Christmas goodies for relatives in the villagers.
IN THE CITY
Christmas is a bit commercialized in the city. The supermarkets, hotels and the whole city is adorned with colorful lights.
The City Council give opportunities to let all the churches hold a Christmas Parade in the main town, holding candles, parading in their Christmas costumes with characters such as “angels”, “Roman soldiers”, “Father Christmas” , “Santas” and the Christians held candles as they sing hymns and Christmas carols.
The Carolers also go around caroling and visiting Christian homes and hotels to add to the atmosphere of Christmas.
CHARITABLE GESTURE
Mostly hotels and NGOs organize activities like Christmas Bazaars, Christmas shows , Christmas concerts to raise fund for different needs. The Gymkhana Club, Miri together with the community of children of different races had recently held a two hour musical concert with the theme, “CHILDREN HELPING CHILDREN”. It was a musical and charitable night with more than 100 performers. Volunteers put in their effort and time for rehearsals in the last two months, working hard with their performances to hold this concert to raise funds for the poor children in the rural areas through MERCY MALAYSIA SARAWAK CHAPTER. Hotels like Mega Hotel, Grand Palace, Dynasty Hotel, Park City Everly and some individual volunteers donated food and money for this function.
CONCLUSION
It was from the beginning of the creation of the world that the SON OF GOD (JESUS CHRIST) came down to earth to die for the sins of the people. He came with peace, care and love. The Christians today use his gesture to spread the message to the community.
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