MALACCA: CHRISTMAS trees, baubles, Santa Claus, reindeer and a host of other Christmas decorations, are items which help to give any premises a festive flair.
However, at the 304-year-old St Peter’s Church, in Jalan Bendahara here, the Christmas decorations consist of nothing more than two Christmas trees adorned with red poinsettia leaves and baubles, finished off with a wired star on top of each tree, at the entrance of the church.
The church’s priest, Father M. Michael, said more important than the decorations was the midnight mass prior to Christmas Day.
“The trees are a symbol of life, so there really aren’t many decorations on them,” he said, adding that this was because emphasis was placed on spiritual preparation, known as advent.
“It is about reflecting on our lives and our sins, making confessions, reconciling, asking God for forgiveness, and starting a new life,” he said, adding that it was also time to encourage good deeds and the spirit of volunteerism.
He said more than 1,000 Christians were expected to take part in the special one-hour midnight mass on Christmas Eve.
“We will begin the mass by singing Gloria, accompanied by the ringing of the church’s oldest bell, salvaged out of a fire centuries ago,” said Michael.
“This is to create a joyful atmosphere at the start of our prayer service, where scripture readings will be carried out.”
He said only the church’s sacristan was eligible to ring the bell.
“Only an experienced person can produce a joyful ringing tone,” said Michael.
“The bell is only rung on special occasions, such as weddings or the midnight mass.”
Michael, who will lead the congregation on Christmas Eve, said the priest conducting the service must be clad in a gold and white vestment, which symbolises celebration and holiness.
Yesterday, churchgoers were busy cleaning up the church’s compound.
Julius Foo, 52, said he applied for off-days from work as early as Tuesday, and had brought along his wife Joanne Joseph, 48, and son, Julian Foo, 12, to help clean up the church.
“It is part of my spiritual preparation and I believe volunteerism helps me indirectly. If I do something good, I will get something in return later on.
“Simple acts, such as cleaning the altar, pews, benches and kneeler will help. You may not see it directly, but it may be paid back to your children or your wife,” said the engineer, who attributed being cured from a stroke to volunteer work at the church.