Putting Christ back into Christmas

Eighty-nine year old Maurice Sta Maria, a long-time resident of the Portuguese Settlement in Ujong Pasir, proudly admits that Christmas is observed and celebrated with much gusto and fervour, together with plenty of innovative decor here.

Dec 24, 2014

By Percy D’Cruz
Eighty-nine year old Maurice Sta Maria, a long-time resident of the Portuguese Settlement in Ujong Pasir, proudly admits that Christmas is observed and celebrated with much gusto and fervour, together with plenty of innovative decor here.

The whole settlement is like a fairyland with Christmas trees and trimmings of the festive season. The outlook, particularly at night, for the whole month of December, elicits nothing but awe from the locals and tourists who visit Melaka to have a close up of the decorations.

However, the true reason for the celebration is overshadowed by numerous commercial ploys to attract customers. Maurice still advocates that more emphasis should be placed on the Christmas message, combined with growth and development of one’s spirituality. As he puts it, “Christ came at Christmas to bring joy. We should live this Christmas message through our involvement in the community, society and parish with concern for our fellow brothers and sisters. Christmas brings joy, peace and blessings to the world.”

Another old timer of the settlement, Andrew De Costa, 79, said that Christmas must always indicate the presence of Christ in the world. No doubt, we face sorrows, disappointments, failures and moments of joy, but “Christmas is about bringing joy, love and happiness to those around us. We pass this message through our direct involvement in our community or parish.”

Jerry Alcantra and wife Fendora in recent years have gathered around twenty-five young children residing at the settlement to undertake carolling at homes, parishes and hotels. They sing popular and evergreen Christmas songs and carols, not only in English but in Portuguese and Latin as well.

The children wear red and leaf green attire, complete with floppy caps. Jerry commented, “Usually the young are associated with much merry-making during the season and so we have brought back traditional practices like carolling, to spread Christmas joy and cheer. Traditions of old, like carolling and going to church as a family, seem to be dying out but we are making sure our young come to know of these practices and preserve them for the generations ahead,” Jerry remarked.

Fendora said, “Our vocation is to embrace the Christmas story and to offer it faithfully to the community. Many Christians, distracted by secular celebrations, are in danger of losing an understanding of the full Christmas story. Christmas is not so much about sharing gifts as it is about people sharing the love they have for each other.”

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