Guests and participants pose for the (ACS SIbu Christmas Parade 2023) album. – Photo by Peter Boon
Christmas is about much more than just presents or holidays. For Christians, it is a time in which we remember the great love of Christ and a season of joy, peace, and goodwill. Recently, Sarawakians had two gatherings in commemoration of the season that have also been very encouraging showcases of unity, not just among Christians, but also across all ethnic groups in the state.
On the night of Saturday, 9th December 2023, over 10,000 people participated in Sibu’s ACS Christmas Parade 2023. The Borneo Post report below:
Over 10,000 converge for ACS Sibu Christmas Parade
SIBU (Dec 9): A mammoth crowd numbering over 10,000 participated in the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) Sibu Christmas Parade 2023 tonight.
The festive mood was truly in the air as members of the public began gathering at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang Phase 1 as early as 5pm.
The Christmas parade, organised by ACS Sibu branch with the Anglican Church as the hosting church, kicked off with event organising chairman Venerable Archdeacon Joseph Dusit Ijau, who is also ACS Sibu branch chairman, delivering the welcoming prayer.
People getting ready for the parade. – Photo by Peter Boon
The Christmas Day message was delivered by ACS chairman and Bishop of Anglican Church in Sarawak and Brunei, Rt Revd Datuk Danald Jute.
“What joy it is to be here with you. I want to congratulate ACS Sibu, heads of churches, and more so everyone for being here to celebrate the birth of our saviour. Tahniah (congratulations),” said Danald.
The event continued with the lighting of the Unity Candle at 6.55pm by Danald, Joseph, Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) superintendent Pastor Yahya Ating, Catholic Bishop of Sibu Rt Revd Joseph Hii, Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference (SCAC) Methodist Church president Dr Lau Hui Ming, and Sibu Municipal Council chairman Clarence Ting.
Joseph (left) and Danald joining the parade. – Photo by Eta Ting
Besides the Anglican Church, the participating churches are the Roman Catholic Church, SCAC Methodist Church, Sarawak Iban Annual Conference (SIAC) Methodist Church, BEM and other churches.
Just a week before, on 3rd December 2023, a gathering of close to 2.5 thousand Sarawakian Christmas Carollers had entered the Malaysia Book of Records for the largest gathering of Christmas Carollers in Malaysian history. Gabriel Lihan from the New Sarawak Tribune reported on the event and atmosphere:
Sarawak Xmas carollers enter Malaysia Book of Records
The participants and carollers among the large crowd who gathered at Padang Merdeka.
KUCHING: Sarawak achieved yet another milestone as it carolled itself into the Malaysia Book of Records (MBoR) after 2,479 participants and carollers at Padang Merdeka here last night (Dec 3).
The ‘A Christmas Carol, Sarawak in Diversity’ event started at 8.15 pm as carollers and participants surpassed the initial target of 1,500.
Dr. Sim witnesses Malaysia Book of Records representative Edwin Yeoh handing over the honour to Unifor director Datuk Jack Aman as other dignitaries pose for a group photo.
Various churches, associations and religious communities were present, including St. Ann Church, Association of Churches Sarawak, St Mark Church, St Joseph Cathedral, Holy Trinity Church, Sarawak Evangelical Church and Sarawak Blessed Church (SECA), Ngajat Asal Iban (NGASI) Association, the Taoist community, the Buddhist community, the Hindu community, the Sikh community and the Baha’i community.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, representing Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, officiated at the lighting ceremony of the large Christmas tree. He was accompanied by the Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk Seri John Sikie Tayai.
Also present were Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala; Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunications Datuk Liwan Lagang; Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu; and Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
Deputy State Secretary Datuk Hii Chang Kee, Kuching South City Council mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) director Datuk Jack Aman Luat and Kuching Roman Catholic Archbishop Simon Po were also present.
The first carols performed during the night were ‘O Holy Night’, ‘Feliz Navidad’, ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’, ‘Carols of the Bells’, ‘Deck the Halls’, followed by ‘12 Days of Christmas’ and ‘Last Christmas’. The performance ended with ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ again.
The ‘A Christmas Carol, Sarawak in Diversity’ event was organised by Unifor and supported by TV Sarawak and will be aired on Dec 23.
The participants and carollers among the large crowd who gathered at Padang Merdeka
While these events were joyous breakthroughs about unity in diversity for the people of Sarawak, it is something that all Malaysians can celebrate. Let us remember the Spirit of peace, goodwill, and unity as we near Christmas this year.
Links to original news posts:
Over 10,000 converge for ACS Sibu Christmas Parade:
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