A CHRISTMAS LIKE NO OTHER
美佳之窗 His Window 97 （ Jan - Mar 2022 ）
Text by Ian Tan
I love Christmas. It is the one season I look forward to most each year. Those in Mega CMC long enough will know my family’s longstanding annual tradition. Dad will cook the best turkey in town (obvious bias) and host multiple dinners at our place to celebrate the occasion. In those dinners, I enjoyed preparing the drinks most as it required minimal culinary skills!
My adoration towards this special festival increased further during my six years in the UK. From sipping on a cup of hot chocolate in the Christmas markets to spectating the grandeur of the Christmas lights twinkling across the high streets in London, it was magical. My brother and I even continued our father’s tradition of cooking turkeys for our friends abroad.
But in the midst of these festivities, I know I often overlook the true meaning of Christmas.
When I finally returned to Malaysia in late 2020, the country was in a perpetual state of MCOs/CMCOs/RMCOs. Thus, for the first time since I could remember, there was no big Christmas celebrations - no carols, no feasts, no parties! To cheer myself up, I wishfully thought, “It’s fine... let’s keep the celebrations for 2021 once the pandemic is gone.”
Oh, how little did I know.
While celebrations were mellowed for a second year in a row, Christmas 2021 has become a Christmas like no other.
As most would be familiar, a torrential rain ravaged the country a week before Christmas. Beyond uprooted trees and abandoned cars, some areas were severely submerged by the flood. Many were left trapped in their homes for days as they were unable to escape the sudden flood. It wasn’t too long before we started hearing cases of casualties being reported.
While I was not affected by the flood, a close friend of mine lost contact with her elderly parents who resided in Taman Sri Muda, one of the worst hit areas. We spent hours in the middle of the night trying to dial every number that was available. Thankfully, they were eventually located and kept safe.
When the flood receded, a huge mess was left behind. There was mud everywhere, possessions were severely damaged, and many of the flood victims were rendered homeless. There was a dire need for help. In response, a number of us from church decided to join the Methodist Crisis Relief and Development (MCRD) team in the post- flood relief missions. We were allocated to Taman Sri Nanding, a quiet neighbourhood based at Hulu Langat.
As we were entering the neighbourhood on day one, I was immediately overwhelmed. While witnessing the scenes of the aftermath is distressing in itself, what broke my heart was the personal stories of the residents we interacted with.
Aunty Ah Yao, a single mother in her 70s, told us that the flood rose up to her chin level before she was rescued. If it were not for the volunteers from the nearby mosque, she might have suffered a different fate. Encik Siva, who has spent most of his life staying at his late mother’s house, had no choice but to rid of pretty much everything he owned as the house was situated beside a large drain.
Together with Rev Matt and Dylan, two people who I adore and respect!
The MCRD volunteers taking our lunch break, so comforting to see many Christians rising to the occasion.
The MCRD volunteers taking our lunch break, so comforting to see many Christians rising to the occasion.
Before the cleaning work could begin, we had to first throw out all the items that were destroyed. Carrying furniture, carpets, textiles, drenched with floodwater was no easy task, which was made worse by the foul stench and slippery surface. Without any electricity, we had to be careful when operating in the dark in order to prevent getting cut by shattered glass or touching snakes swimming around. The atmosphere was sober, as everyone in the team was laser- focused on performing our duties in order to speedily move onto the next house. There just wasn’t enough time.
As we were toiling away, I began to ponder in silence the resemblance between this Christmas and the original one. The first Christmas, in truth, was unpleasant in some ways. Joseph and Mary struggled to find a place to deliver their baby at the peak of Mary’s pregnancy. Upon birth, baby Jesus was laid in a grimy manger, which isn’t exactly an ideal condition for a new- born. Not long after, Jesus and His parents were forced to
flee their homeland out of fear of persecution by King Herod.
Drawing parallels, I don’t think this Christmas has been a pleasant one for those affected by the flood.
But more importantly, I was gently reminded of the reason for the season. Christmas is ultimately centred on the birth of our saviour, who humbly came into this broken world to die for our sins. It is a celebration of His unconditional love for us. In response, we are called to share this love with our fellow humanity. The Christmas message, I believe, is encapsulated in 1 John 4:9-11:
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
Far from the comfortable modern-day Christmas I have become accustomed to, being on the ground and literally getting our hands dirty was quite a different Christmas experience. As I departed from my musings and lifted my head, seeing the volunteers giving their all and working hand-in-hand warmed my heart with a tangible sense of peace and joy.
To love thy neighbours, to hope amidst suffering. This is the true meaning of Christmas.
IAN TAN
Ian was born and raised in Mega CMC, a place he calls home.
He is highly interested in the nation building process - something
he believes that every Christian should be part of!