Agustina, 42, and her husband sell fruit at open-air markets. She is from Indonesia and he from Sabah.
Before the pandemic, Christmas celebrations were very different – although she remained in Malaysia and was away from family, it was a rather festive time.
“My church members and I will begin carolling in November. We’d go from one house to another, from evening until late. It’s something I used to really enjoy,” she told FMT.
Christmas Eve would be spent in church, she said. The church service usually included traditional dance presentations by members of the congregation, adults and children alike.
“Afterwards, we would enjoy a potluck with a variety of traditional dishes from East Malaysia and Indonesia as my church members come from these places.”
After the merriment of singing carols, dancing and feasting on the eve of Christmas, it’s back to church first thing on Christmas morning for Agustina and her family.
However, the pandemic has left its mark on how people celebrate special occasions – including Christmas. So, this year’s Christmas celebrations will be as subdued as last year’s was.
“I couldn’t visit our friends or go to church, and it was very sad,” she said.
Last Christmas, Agustina had a simple celebration with her family. “I cooked several dishes and made some local pastries. And I video-called my family and friends back home.”
She is planning a small-scale celebration again this year. “I have children, so I am being cautious,” she says, adding that her youngest is only six years old and the pandemic is still very much a real threat in Malaysia.
Agustina has remained cheerful however, and said, “For me, Christmas is about hope because that is what the birth of Jesus is all about.
“Even though our business has been affected by the pandemic, I am still very grateful that I can be with my family during Christmas.
“If there is one thing the pandemic has taught me, it’s that we shouldn’t only be grateful when things are going well, we must also learn to be grateful when they are not.”
Missing home
Tha Sui Iang, 35, who hails from Chin State in Myanmar, hasn’t been back home since she came to Malaysia eight years ago. She is a UNHCR refugee.
She described how Christmas is typically celebrated back home.
“We start Christmas Day with prayers in church. Then, we cook a feast for lunch and enjoy it with family and friends.”
She explained that while celebrations do involve a fair amount of feasting and merry-making that stretch for two to three days, Christmas is more of a prayerful time for her and those of her congregation.
She also said that since coming to Malaysia, Christmas had become a more sombre affair. “I am unable to take time off from work, so the celebration only lasts for one day,” she explained, adding that she works in a packaging factory in Port Klang.
“In the morning, I head over to church. After the service, my church members and I cook and enjoy a meal together.”
Last year’s celebrations were even more subdued because of the pandemic.
“I stayed at home with my husband and daughter,” she said, adding it will be much the same this year because of the threat of the Omicron variant and the current SOPs put in place.
The one highlight of the Christmas celebration however will be video-calling her family and friends in Myanmar although this too can get tricky due to the unstable internet connection there.
“Back home, I loved singing Christmas songs in church. So here, I do the same after I get home from work,” Tha said.
Among her favourites are “Feliz Navidad” and “O Holy Night”. “It makes my heart lighter when I sing.”