Malaysians share how Christmas reinforces kindness, generosity and family ties, highlighting the festive season’s unifying spirit in a diverse society.
SHAH ALAM: Beyond its religious significance, Christmas serves as an important occasion to reinforce shared human values and family ties essential to a caring society.
Its unifying spirit of togetherness remains central, connecting families, friends and communities alike.
This perspective is shared by 27-year-old doctoral student Janice Maria Nair, who sees Christmas as a celebration of universal values rather than just a religious observance.
“To me, Christmas is more about kindness, generosity, and the intention behind how we treat one another,” she told Bernama.
She said these values feel universal, especially within a multi-faith society like Malaysia, where diversity is woven into daily existence.
Janice fondly recalled her most meaningful Christmas memory of returning to Trinidad and Tobago at age nine to meet her mother’s family for the first time.
“The excitement leading up to Christmas, the warm, bustling and cosy atmosphere, and the sheer presence of the entire family made that experience incredibly special,” she said.
Meanwhile, 25-year-old human resource administrator Debra Emellyn Racha Anak Chiew Kee said she will mark the occasion with friends in Kuala Lumpur as she cannot be with her family in Sibu this year.
She said distance is no barrier to expressing affection, as she had already mailed all their gifts a week in advance.
“In our family, gift-giving isn’t a Christmas obligation,” she said, adding that it now brings her genuine joy to give something as a token since she started working.
For 35-year-old online trader Jason Lee, Christmas is a time for family gathering and cherished traditions.
His family holds a cooking session on Christmas Eve and organises games to foster closer bonds.
The father of three said the festive season provides the perfect occasion for reunion and for celebrating joy with both family and the wider community.
