Christmas in Penang

Fort Cornwallis

The State of Penang consists of Penang Island itself and a strip of land on the mainland, Province Wellesley. It is a multiracial state with the largest non-Muslim population percentage in West Malaysia. About half of it's million plus population consists of Buddhists, Hindus and Christians with the majority of these living on the island itself.

The walls of the fort are packed with earth and are about 6 metres thick. If you look closely at the picture below, you'll note a hill on the upper right. I live at the foot of those hills.

There are about 7 Catholic Churches on the Island, with another four on the mainland. There are a large number of non-Catholic Christians as well with Methodists and Anglicans the largest of the mainline denominations (and some Presbyterians, Lutherans, Brethren [Salvation Army, Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons]) and Baptists, FGA's, AOG's and many smaller evangelical free and Pentecostal groups making up the remainder of the Christian population. So, as you can see, it's a very diverse grouping of Christians.

Cannons and gun emplacements defend the fort from a sea attack.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia groups together the Catholic Church, the Council of Churches, Malaysia (the mainline denoms) and the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (the Pentecostals). The State Government of Penang celebrates all the major festivals such as Eid, Chinese New Year and Diwali with something called an Open House. Basically, it's a large public party where everyone is invited and there's lots of free food and drinks and entertainment.

Christmas is no exception. In previous years, the Christians use to have a large parade through the streets of downtown Penang. But for the past 2 years, a party was held instead.

Captain Francis Light

The location? Fort Cornwallis, the fort of the first British settlement in the Far East when the East India Company negotiated (tricked?) the local sultan into ceding the island as a port and trading post. Thank God for Captain Francis Light, or else Penang would be a backwater like the rest of Malaysia. The British settlement also allowed Christian missionaries to enter and schools like the Penang Free School established.

The Entrance to the Fort

Anyway, as I was saying, the location of the Christmas party is in a fort, with walls a few metres thick and about 4 metres high. Indications of a siege mentality? I don't know.

Mark, Angela and our modesty made our way to the Fort early, to try to get good seats... and be closer to the food =)

A special tent was set up for the guests of honour, including the Chief Minister, the Bishop and other Christian leaders.

The tent was set up in front of the stage

Although we were early, the place soon began to be quite packed as people poured in and took their seats in front of the stage.

Note the people sitting on chairs. These naughty people stole chairs from the food tents and were promptly asked to return them. The photos below show the aftermath... people standing chairless. Fatigue soon got the better of them though and they soon sat down.

The local Churches put on several performances, ranging from dancing kids to Christian rock and carols.

Note the fellows standing right in front of the stage. Don't they know that it's very very rude and that there are thousands of people behind them being blocked by their... well... anyway.

As the wait for the Chief Minister wore on, the crowd grew... restless and hungry.

When the Chief Minister arrived and the speeches started rolling, we made a rush to the food tents. Unfortunately, others had the same idea and we were in a very long line. The food was yummy, but little. We later lined up again at another food counter, but when we arrived, the food ran out.... sigh. Our modesty went home hungry that night.

Anyway, we tried to make our way out, but the Chief Minister had the same idea and stalled us. But as soon as his car pulled away, however, the heavens began to pour and I were drenched and chilled to the marrow.

The things I go through to get a story... your humble scribe returned home wet, cold and hungry that night. Not a good combo.

How was your Christmas? Care to share?

Christmas in Bethlehem, where it all began

Et lux in tenebris lucet, et tenebræ eam non comprehenderunt.
And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

As we celebrate Christmas, let us not forget where it all began, in the House of Bread, in Bethlehem, the Word became the Bread of Life for us, for our salvation.

Patriarch: Jerusalem Awaiting Peace This Christmas

Affirms That Palestinians and Israelis Are Capable of Living Together

JERUSALEM, DEC. 23, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The patriarch of Jerusalem says that Christians in the holy city will again celebrate Christmas searching for a peace that seems impossible, but with faith that it can be achieved.

Archbishop Michel Sabbah affirmed this in a Dec. 19 Christmas message.

"We joyfully celebrate Christmas, hoping to see better days in our Holy Land, by the grace of God, by our own contribution to bring peace to this land and by sharing in all the sacrifices that it requires," the patriarch wrote. "Because God is with us, we remain hopeful in the midst of all the daily difficulties we experience as a result of the occupation and of the insecurity and deprivations that arise from it. God is with us, reminding us that the commandment of love, which was given to us by Jesus, born in Bethlehem, still remains valid for the difficult times in which we are living today."

The Franciscan Friars of the Custody of the Holy Land and other Catholic clergy await the arrival of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Michel Sabbah. Note the double barred Patriarchal or Metropolitan Cross.

The Catholic Scouts and marching bands participate as well.

The archbishop called for a love that sees "the image of God in every human being, of every religion and nationality [...] that knows how to forgive and, at the same time, to demand all our rights, especially those given by God to each person and to the entire community, such as the gift of life, of dignity, of freedom, and of the land."

Archbishop Sabbah expressed both dismay at the ongoing conflict, and the faith that peace is possible.

"Palestinians and Israelis are capable of living together in peace, each in their own territory, each enjoying their security, their dignity, and their rights," he affirmed. "But to attain that peace, it is necessary to believe that Israelis and Palestinians are equal in all things, that they have the same rights and the same duties, and that both parties must adopt the ways of God, which are not the ways of violence, whether they be carried out by the state or by extremists."

The Patriarchal Cross is brought out of the Church of the Nativity. The low doors, besides encouraging humility from the pilgrims also prevented the Muslim invaders from riding their horses into the Church.

Turmoil

The patriarch lamented that "the entire region, because of the conflict in the Holy Land, is in turmoil."

He continued: "In Lebanon, in Iraq, as well as here, the forces of evil seem to have been unleashed and to have decided to pursue their course along paths leading to death, exclusion and domination. Despite all of this, we believe that God has not abandoned us to all these forces of evil.

"A new peace effort was begun these last few weeks. In order for it to succeed, there must be a firm willingness to make peace. Until now, there has been no peace, simply because there has been no willingness to make it."

Religious states

Archbishop Sabbah contended that recent proposals to establish "religious states" in the Holy Land do not provide a viable solution.

"In this land, which is holy for three religions and for two peoples, religious states cannot be established because they would exclude or place in an inferior position the believers of the other religions," he said. "A state that would exclude or discriminate against the other religions is not suitable for this land made holy by God for all of humanity.

"Political and religious leaders must begin by understanding the universal vocation of this land in which God has brought us together throughout history. They must know that the holiness of this land does not consist in the exclusion of one or the other of the religions, but in the ability of each religion, with all of their differences, to welcome, respect, and love all who inhabit this land."

His Beatitude and his auxiliaries are censed as they arrive. The procession then moves towards the Church of the Nativity, through Manger Square.

Pilgrims

The 74-year-old prelate also appealed for more rights for pilgrims to the Holy Land.

"The holiness and the universal vocation of this land also includes the duty to welcome pilgrims from around the world, those who come for a short visit, and those who come to reside, to pray, to study, or to perform the religious ministry to which the faithful of all religions have a right," he said. "For many years, we have been suffering from a problem that has never been solved, that of entry-visas into the country for priests and for religious men and women who, in this land, because of their faith, have duties to perform as well as rights.

"A state in this land must understand that it must respect and promote the universal vocation of the land with which it has been entrusted and, accordingly, must be open to welcoming all believers of other religions."

Archbishop Sabbah concluded with a prayer that the grace of Christmas "will enlighten all the leaders of this land. For all our faithful, in all parts of our diocese, may the grace of Christmas renew their faith and help them to live it more fully and to better carry out all their duties in their respective societies."

Pilgrims pray at the Grotto of the Nativity, the spot where Jesus Christ Our Lord was born.

The entrance leading to the Grotto, under the Greek Orthodox altar, above and the Icon of the Mother of God and the Child Jesus above the entrance, below.

Jerusalem Patriarch's Midnight Mass Homily

"Human History Is Full of Wars, But It Is Also Full of God"

JERUSALEM, DEC. 25, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is the text of the Christmas Midnight Mass homily of Archbishop Michel Sabbah, patriarch of Jerusalem. The translation was provided by the patriarchate.

* * *

The Midnight Mass is celebrated at the Church of St. Catherine, adjacent to the Church of the Nativity. It begins with the Latin Patriarch carrying the Infant Christ through the Church, above, to the Grotto, next door, below.

Christmas Homily 2007

Brothers and Sisters,
I wish you all a Blessed Christmas.

Mr. President,
1. This holy night, we pray for you, for your difficult task, for the security and unity of the people, and for peace. May God give you light, wisdom and courage. For the leaders of this country, for all the leaders in the Middle East, we pray that God will grant all of them the grace of being able to bring about peace and stability here and throughout the entire region.

2. Brothers and Sisters,
The grace of God has appeared. The Eternal Word of God became man. Saint John tells us in clear terms, whose meaning nevertheless escapes the understanding of many: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (Jn 1, 1) and "the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (Jn 1, 14). That, my Brothers and Sisters, is the meaning of Christmas, that is what we celebrate, and that is why we rejoice. The prophet Isaiah had predicted: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light...a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace" (Is 9, 1.5). Saint Leo the Great, commenting on this mystery, said: "Human nature and divine nature were united in one person so that the Creator of time might be born in time, and he through whom all things were made might be brought forth in their midst" (Leo the Great, 2nd reading, Dec. 17).

Catholic clergy await the arrival of the Patriarch. He places the Infant in the Grotto, above the exact spot of the Nativity and censes the image.

The one through whom all things were made was brought forth in their midst, here in Bethlehem, to fill us with his grace, and to save us from the evil against which we must fight every day. Saint John says: "From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace" (Jn 1, 16). He then says: "No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father's side, has revealed him." These words tell us that on Christmas, the only begotten Son, who alone knows the Father, who was born here in Bethlehem, born to bring life to men and women, has also enabled us to know God and to enter already here on earth into eternal life. This life is meant to shed light on all our efforts as we try to build our human society and struggle for peace. We have the power to transform all our challenges, joys and suffering into life everlasting, i.e. into a life with God, with his light, his strength and his goodness.

Christmas renews us "by the Holy Spirit whom God richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior" (Titus 3, 6), so that in hope we might inherit eternal life. With the strength that comes from this grace, with Christmas present in us every day, we commit ourselves to live in our society in order to bring it the peace of Christmas. Life in this world, with all of its poverty, all of its weaknesses, but also with the strength that comes from grace, must become in us the beginning of eternal life.

3. With this faith in God, with this grace of Christmas, we meditate on the mystery of our land which has not yet succeeded in seeing God within it, and naturally has not succeeded in making peace. With Christmas, with the goodness of God which He himself placed in every human person, it is essential, first of all, to believe that we are capable of making peace. But to do that, we must surpass ourselves and look at the other person through the eyes of God in order to receive justice for ourselves and for the others.

The Patriarch then re-enters St. Catherine's, which is much larger and more able to accommodate the numerous pilgrims, and the Midnight Mass begins.

It is also important to understand the universal vocation of this land, and to see the will of God for the land both in the Scriptures and in the evolution of history of which the same God is Lord. He is the one who gathered all of us here throughout the centuries, Jews, Christians, Muslims and Druze, we who today constitute two peoples, Palestinians and Israelis. To understand and accept this universal vocation is to accept the plan of God for this land and to become capable of establishing peace within it. Any exclusivism that pushes the other party aside or imposes occupation or any other type of submission on it is not in keeping with the vocation of this land. This land of God cannot be for some a land of life and for others a land of death, exclusion, occupation, or political imprisonment. All those whom God, the Lord of history, has gathered here must be able to find in this land life, dignity and security.

Each one knows what it takes to make peace. Each one knows what is due to each of the two peoples who inhabit this land. It is not up to the weakest to submit themselves and continue to live a life of deprivation; it is up to the strongest, to those who have everything in hand, to detach themselves and to give to the weakest what is due to them. All of the difficult questions can be resolved if all those involved are truly determined to make peace.

4. With all of the religious leaders in this land, we have started to meet and to reflect together. We wanted to ask ourselves, each of us, the question, as believers before God: what is justice before God for each of us? We are on a long and difficult road, because it involves freeing ourselves from the political system, from its exclusive views, and from its fears, in order to enable ourselves to say and to bring something new and good to everyone.

Human history is full of wars, but it is also full of God. And God is love. There should not be any tyranny on the part of some believers, who call themselves believers, but who carry out not the will of God, but their own will, Muslims or Jews or Christians. Some also have recourse to violence in the name of God or of God's promises. Violence cannot claim to be part of any religion. Extremism, in all religions, is the desire to appropriate to oneself, to exclude, and to subject others, not to a faith in God, but to human behaviors that are hostile to the others. Religious leaders have a role to play in the education of believers, by confirming them in the ways of justice, of what is right, and of forgiveness, all the while demanding their rights, and collaborating with all men and women of good will.

5. Brothers and Sisters, you might be asking yourselves what is your role as Christians in the peace process and in the future of this land. Pope Benedict XVI, in his recent encyclical on Hope, says that the characteristic of "Christians is that they have hope, and to have hope is to have a future."

The Gospel is read before Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, above.

This applies to us, Christians in the Holy Land and in the entire Middle East. Everyone is worried about our Christian presence here: Israel as well as the Palestinian Authority. King Abdalla II of Jordan has called attention for several years to the seriousness of the exodus of the Christian Arabs. Numerous Muslim voices are being raised in many quarters, calling attention to the vacuum that the exodus of Christians would create in the Arab Muslim world. The Christian world, for its part, is equally worried about our survival and about our disappearance.

To you, Brothers and Sisters, to all of you Christians in this land, you who are tempted to emigrate, you who are the object of everyone's preoccupation, I say to you what Jesus told us: do not be afraid. Christians should not be afraid and should not run away from difficulties. Being Christian means sharing the concerns of all, building peace with everyone else, and accepting the sacrifices this implies, prison, possibly life, or the difficulties of daily life, of occupation, of the wall of separation, and of the lack of freedom of movement. All of this is our common fate, and all of us together, by our sacrifices, we must build peace for everyone.

Another image of the Christ Child, under the altar of St. Catherine's is venerated.

To those who are tempted or pressed by difficulties to leave the country, we say: you have a place here, and more than a place, you have a vocation: to be Christians here, in the land of Jesus, and not elsewhere in the world. Accept your vocation, despite the fact that it is difficult. Our presence here will remain a witness to the universal vocation of this land, the land of God, and the land of the three religions and of the two peoples that inhabit it. Listen to the voice of your vocation, and listen to the voice of all those who want you to be present here.

Indeed, we live not only in the midst of a conflict, but are part of a history of which God is the master, a history made by God who invites us to make this history with Him. He is Lord of the entire history of the human race, since its distant beginnings, since the time of biblical history until today. He is the one who was, who is, and who will be. No person or period in history can avoid Him. He is the inevitable one with whom and before whom we live, act, and exist (cf. Acts 17, 28). Full of hope, free from fear, we continue to move ahead.

Christmas Morning Mass at St. Catherine's.

6. Brothers and Sisters,
I wish you a Blessed Christmas. We pray here this night, here in Bethlehem, for all of you in Palestine, Israel, Jordan, and Cyprus. We pray for all who suffer, for the sick, and for the prisoners so that they can finally enjoy freedom and dignity. We pray for all our leaders so they can envisage justice, enter into the ways of peace, and have the courage to give it to their people. To the entire Christian world, from Bethlehem, we say: have a pleasant and blessed Christmas. Amen.

+ Michel Sabbah, Patriarch

Manger Square at night.

Christmas in Rome - Part 2: Urbi et Orbi

At the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica on Christmas morning, the Pope delivered his traditional Christmas greetings and his blessing Urbi et Orbi, to the City (Rome) and to the World.

The most papal looking Pope since John XXIII. The Leonine Throne is back with a jewelled mitre. The massive crowds flooding the square overflowed down the Via della Conciliazione to the bridge over the Tiber.

Christmas Requires Humility of Us, Says Pope

Contends That Christ's Birth Isn't "Great" by World's Standards

Protodeacon of the Holy Roman Church, Dario Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos.

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 25, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Today a great light and hope entered the world, but humility is needed in order to see and accept it, said Benedict XVI in his traditional Christmas message.

The Pope affirmed this today from the central balcony at St. Peter's. He gave a Christmas greeting in 63 languages then gave his blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city of Rome and the world).

"The birth of a child normally brings a light of hope to those who are waiting anxiously," the Holy Father said. "When Jesus was born in the stable at Bethlehem, a 'great light' appeared on earth; a great hope entered the hearts of those who awaited him: in the words of today's Christmas liturgy, 'lux magna.'

"Admittedly it was not 'great' in the manner of this world. [...] Yet, in the shadows and silence of that holy night, a great and inextinguishable light shone forth for every man; the great hope that brings happiness entered into the world.

The Pontiff reflected on the mystery of Christmas as the coming of light into the world.

"The creative Word of God is light, the source of life. All things were made through the Logos, not one thing had its being but through him," he said. "That is why all creatures are fundamentally good and bear within themselves the stamp of God, a spark of his light.

"Nevertheless, when Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, the Light himself came into the world. [...] In Jesus, God assumed what he was not, while remaining what he was: 'Omnipotence entered an infant's body and did not cease to govern the universe.'

"The Creator of man became man in order to bring peace to the world. For this reason, during Christmas night, the hosts of angels sing: 'Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to those whom he loves.'

Humility

Benedict XVI said the light of Christ is the bearer of peace. Quoting the entrance antiphon of Christmas Midnight Mass, he said, "Today true peace has come down to us from heaven."

He continued: "Indeed, it is only the 'great' light manifested in Christ that can give 'true' peace to men: That is why every generation is called to welcome it, to welcome the God who in Bethlehem became one of us.

A peekaboo moment, before the Pope emerged.

"This is Christmas -- the historical event and the mystery of love, which for more than 2,000 years has spoken to men and women of every era and every place. It is the holy day on which the 'great light' of Christ shines forth, bearing peace!"

If we are to recognize the light, the Pope affirmed, "faith is needed and humility is needed."

Humility, he said, like that of "Mary, who believed in the word of the Lord and, bending low over the manger, was the first to adore the fruit of her womb; the humility of Joseph, the just man, who had the courage of faith and preferred to obey God rather than to protect his own reputation; the humility of the shepherds, the poor and anonymous shepherds, who received the proclamation of the heavenly messenger and hastened toward the stable, where they found the newborn child and worshipped him, full of astonishment, praising God."

"The little ones, the poor in spirit: They are the key figures of Christmas, in the past and in the present," the Pope said. "They have always been the key figures of God's history, the indefatigable builders of his Kingdom of justice, love and peace."

Who's Ready for Peace? Asks Pontiff

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 25, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is asking who is ready to receive the peace that Christ offers with his coming to the world.

The Pope asked this question today from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica during his traditional Christmas address. Before giving his blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city of Rome and the world) he offered a Christmas greeting in 63 languages, including, this year, Guarani, the language of an indigenous South American people.

"In the silence of that night in Bethlehem, Jesus was born and lovingly welcomed," the Holy Father proclaimed. "And now, on this Christmas Day, when the joyful news of his saving birth continues to resound, who is ready to open the doors of his heart to the holy child? Men and women of this modern age, Christ comes also to us bringing his light, he comes also to us granting peace!

"But who is watching, in the night of doubt and uncertainty, with a vigilant, praying heart? Who is waiting for the dawn of the new day, keeping alight the flame of faith? Who has time to listen to his word and to become enfolded and entranced by his love? Yes! His message of peace is for everyone; he comes to offer himself to all people as sure hope for salvation."

Darkness

The Pontiff expressed his wish that the light of Christ, "which comes to enlighten every human being," would "shine forth and bring consolation to those who live in the darkness of poverty, injustice and war; to those who are still denied their legitimate aspirations for a more secure existence, for health, education, stable employment, for fuller participation in civil and political responsibilities, free from oppression and protected from conditions that offend against human dignity."

He continued: "It is the most vulnerable members of society -- women, children, the elderly -- who are so often the victims of brutal armed conflicts, terrorism and violence of every kind, which inflict such terrible sufferings on entire populations.

"At the same time, ethnic, religious and political tensions, instability, rivalry, disagreements, and all forms of injustice and discrimination are destroying the internal fabric of many countries and embittering international relations. Throughout the world the number of migrants, refugees and evacuees is also increasing because of frequent natural disasters, often caused by alarming environmental upheavals."

Strife-torn lands

Benedict XVI specifically mentioned particular zones of conflict, saying his "thoughts turn especially to those places where the grim sound of arms continues to reverberate."

He mentioned "the tortured regions of Darfur, Somalia, the north of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia; to the whole of the Middle East -- especially Iraq, Lebanon and the Holy Land; to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, to the Balkans and to many other crisis situations that unfortunately are frequently forgotten."

"May the Child Jesus," he prayed, "bring relief to those who are suffering and may he bestow upon political leaders the wisdom and courage to seek and find humane, just and lasting solutions. To the thirst for meaning and value so characteristic of today's world, to the search for prosperity and peace that marks the lives of all mankind, to the hopes of the poor: Christ -- true God and true Man -- responds with his nativity.

"Neither individuals nor nations should be afraid to recognize and welcome him: With him 'a shining light' brightens the horizon of humanity; in him 'a holy day' dawns that knows no sunset. May this Christmas truly be for all people a day of joy, hope and peace!"

Benedict XVI urged "brothers and sisters from every continent" to "allow the light of this day to spread everywhere: May it enter our hearts, may it brighten and warm our homes, may it bring serenity and hope to our cities, and may it give peace to the world."