CHRISTIANS across Malaysia celebrated Christmas today in a festive and harmonious atmosphere, observing religious rites and age-old traditions while underscoring themes of love, peace and unity that resonated beyond faith boundaries.
In Kuala Lumpur, Bernama observed that about 1,000 local and foreign worshippers gathered as early as 8am at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima in Brickfields to mark the occasion.
The church, well known for its Christmas decorations and towering Christmas tree that draw tourists annually, held four prayer sessions beginning last night and continuing until around noon today.
Parish priest Sebestin Arputharaj said Christmas was more than a celebration. “The celebration of Christmas is not merely a festivity, but a time to strengthen the values of love, peace and unity among society regardless of background,” he said.
In Selangor, the festive mood filled the nearly century-old Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Klang, where families and friends gathered for religious services amid elaborate decorations around the church compound.
One visitor, Jalla, 67, from Klang, said his family continued the tradition of celebrating Christmas despite being Hindu.
“Our family celebrates all festivities because that is the spirit of unity instilled in this country. Every celebration has its own joy. Besides, many of our family members are from mixed marriages,” he said.
In Melaka, places such as the Portuguese Settlement and the historic St Francis Xavier Church in Bandar Hilir were bustling from early morning as Christians attended Christmas services.
Visitor Marilyn Cheah said she chose to celebrate Christmas in Melaka while on holiday.
“Yesterday, I travelled from Johor and took the opportunity to stop at the Portuguese Settlement to visit relatives who live nearby. It was lively, and we went to pray at a nearby church last night before returning home to enjoy special dishes prepared for Christmas,” she said.
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Abd Rauf Yusof also extended Christmas greetings to Christians, especially in Melaka, expressing hope that the celebration would be filled with joy and peace while strengthening unity and harmony.
In Negeri Sembilan, Christmas celebrations began last night, followed by early morning services at The Visitation Church in Seremban, which saw more than 1,000 worshippers attending from as early as 7.30am.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, in a Facebook post, encouraged residents to use the Christmas holiday to strengthen family ties, friendships and unity.
In Johor, the Immaculate Conception Church in Johor Bahru drew worshippers from 7.30am, with families arriving in colourful and modest attire. Parish priest Claurence Motoyou Ofm estimated that more than 3,500 people attended services at the church in stages throughout the morning.
In Pahang, the public holiday was embraced by people of various ethnic backgrounds in Kuantan, who spent time with family members at shopping malls while taking photos and videos amid festive Christmas decorations. Colourful lights and ornaments across shopping centres attracted visitors of all ages.
In Terengganu, about 200 Christians gathered at the Presbyterian Church in Kuala Terengganu from 9.30am for religious services, dressed in cheerful new outfits. Café owner Hee Jee Keat, 64, said he brought his 90-year-old father, Hee Wan Lan, who uses a wheelchair, to celebrate together at the church through prayers, hymns and a communal meal.
In Kedah, many took advantage of the holiday to visit shopping malls from around 10.30am with their families, while also posing for photographs with Christmas decorations. Jomanda Hong, 31, from Kampung Berjaya in Alor Setar, said it was her first time celebrating Christmas in her husband’s hometown.
“We were married in May, so this is my first Christmas in my husband’s village. Previously, I celebrated Christmas in Kuala Lumpur, which is very lively, but here it is more peaceful and truly a new experience,” she said.
“This morning, our family exchanged gifts and Christmas greetings before going out to the mall to eat and enjoy the performances.”
In Perak, the active involvement of youth enlivened Christmas celebrations at the 97-year-old Church of St Joseph in Batu Gajah, where young parishioners played a key role in preparations and programmes.
Church youth vice-president J. Regina, 22, said Christmas was not only about commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ but also a platform to instil values of love, hope and unity among young people from diverse backgrounds.
She said about 20 youths were directly involved in decorating and preparing the worship space over nearly a month, helping them better appreciate the true meaning of Christmas while strengthening ties with the community and their faith.
In Penang, more than 5,000 Christians visited the Minor Basilica of St Anne in Bukit Mertajam from as early as 7am for Christmas services. Basilica administrator Deacon Lazarus Jonathan said the church had been filled with worshippers since yesterday, with Masses conducted in Mandarin and English, continuing today with Tamil services from 8am followed by Malay.
“This year’s Christmas celebration is more special as it forms part of the Jubilee of Hope, which began on Christmas Eve 2024 and will end on January 6 next year, themed ‘Hope does not disappoint’,” he said. - December 25, 2025
