Christmas In Malaysia

Last Christmas at the Mt Albert baptist Church, we had a Christmas pageant. People from different nationalities presented how their home countries celebrated Christmas. We were diversed group from Pakistan, South America, England, China and New Zealand.

My friends C, S and I presented Christmas in Malaysia. C made Malaysian cakes and S and I took turns to explain. We also sang felis nave da . Our group was judged first. Thanks to C's cakes.

The most obvious symbolism used in the candy cane is its shape. Turned one way, it looks like a "J" for Jesus. The newborn Lamb of God was named Jesus, meaning Savior, because He was destined to "save His people from their sins" (Mt 1:21). Turned the other way, candy canes remind us of the shepherd's staff. The first people to hear of Christ's birth were shepherds guarding their flocks at night (Lk 2:8-20). Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd and the Bible frequently compares the actions of the Messiah to those of a shepherd searching for his lost sheep, feeding them, gently leading them, and carrying them in his bosom (Ps 23; Jn 10:1-18; Is 40:11; Jer 31:10; Micah 5:4; Heb 13:20). The sweetness of the candy reminds us that we are fed on the sweet milk of the Gospel of our salvation and peace (Eph 1:13; 6:15).

Many people have given religious meaning to the shape and form of the candy cane. It is said that its shape is like the letter “J” in Jesus’ name. It is also in the shape of the shepherds’ crook, symbolic of how Jesus, like the “Good Shepherd” watches over his children like little lambs. It is a hard candy, solid like a “rock”, the foundation of the Church. The flavor of peppermint is similar to another member of the mint family, hyssop. In the Old Testament hyssop was used for purification and sacrifice, and this is said to symbolize the purity of Jesus and the sacrifice he made.

Most Christians in Malaysia celebrate Christmas either going to Christmas Eve Church services or Christmas Day Services.

Malaysia is a multi racial and multi religious country. The people have embraced one fairly unique Malaysian custom: The Open House concept. Be it Christmas, Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Malaysians visit one another to greet the other a Merry/Blessed Christmas, Likewise, Selamat Hari Raya or Happy Chinese New Year. The host family will serve the visitors specially baked cookies. This exchange of fellowship is what the Bible teaches us to love one another regardless of race or creek.

The candy cane is used during Christmas because of its shape. With the curve end up, the candy cane looks like a shepherd’s staff. It represents that Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd looking after us, his lamb. Also the first people who witness the birth of Jesus were shepherds. Turn the candy cane the other way, looks like “J” for Jesus. The flavor of peppermint is similar to another member of the mint family, hyssop. In the Old Testament hyssop was used for purification and sacrifice, and this is said to symbolize the purity of Jesus and the sacrifice he made.