KUALA LUMPUR:Christians in the country celebrated Christmas today on a moderate scale and in a spirit of goodwill, in accordance with the new normal to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Worshipers gathered at several churches which were opened at a limited capacity except for areas that have been placed under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO).
No large-scale open houses were held as visits were only allowed with limited number of guests comprising only close family members.
In SELANGOR, Christians began arriving at the Our Lady of Lourd Church in Klang as early as 8 am for a religious service and spent about 15 minutes before returning home.
Pastor Frederick Joseph when met by Bernama said this year’s Christmas celebration at the church was different from those in previous years, as all activities must be done in compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the relevant authorities.
“Last year, about 1,500 worshipers and their families gathered at the church to perform prayer ceremonies but this year we have to follow the SOP considering the Klang district itself is still categorised as (COVID-19) red zone area,” he said.
In PERAK, devotees attending service at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Ipoh were spotted wearing face masks and generally followed the other SOPs set.
Only about 100 Christians were allowed to enter the hall to participate in the religious ceremony which started at 7 am and lasted for an hour.
In NEGERI SEMBILAN, it was a moderate but lively Christmas celebration for about 400 Orang Asli in Kampung Orang Asli Tekir Mentera, Labu.
Headman Ramli Taka, 67, said celebration for the Orang Asli community in the village took place among immediate family members at their respective homes.
“Unlike in previous years, we celebrate Christmas this year at home in adherence to the SOPs set by the government following the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.,” he said.
In MELAKA, Christmas was celebrated in a muted manner at the country’s only traditional Portuguese village in Ujong Pasir as no usual cultural performances were held this year.
Village’s Development and security committee (JPKK) chairman Marina Lindadanker said no carolling sessions from house to house were held on the Christmas’ eve in light of the COVID-19 pandemic
“Usually, a week before Christmas various activities and performances will be held which have also become a special tourist attraction here,” she said.
In SARAWAK, the St Thomas’ Cathedral in Kuching which can accommodate up to 1,500 people at any one time today limited the number of attendees to only 200 people.
The Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) had ruled that Christians in the state were only allowed to hold Christmas celebrations on the first day while visits were limited to only 20 people at a time.
In SABAH, prayer ceremonies were held at churches with limited attendance of congregants in full compliance with the SOPs including wearing face masks and checking-in using the MySejahtera application.
Interestingly, some Christians in the state utilised the technology as a new way of celebrating Christmas including by holding virtual Christmas carolling.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Fri Dec 25 2020
![Celebrating Christmas in the new normal Celebrating Christmas in the new normal](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-12/41608887117_Krismas.jpg)
Christians in the country celebrated Christmas today on a moderate scale and in a spirit of goodwill, in accordance with the new normal to curb the spread of COVID-19. - BERNAMA
![Allahyarham Nidza Afham dalam proses kumpul duit kahwin - Adik Allahyarham Nidza Afham dalam proses kumpul duit kahwin - Adik](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723699567_NidzaAfhammeningg.jpg)
Allahyarham Nidza Afham dalam proses kumpul duit kahwin - Adik
Penyanyi Aufahanie memberitahu Allahyarham abangnya yang juga penyanyi Nidza Afham mempunyai perancangan untuk berkahwin dengan teman wanitanya.
![KKM nafi remaja menyamar doktor rawat pesakit KKM nafi remaja menyamar doktor rawat pesakit](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723275350_remajaperempuan.jpg)
KKM nafi remaja menyamar doktor rawat pesakit
Kementerian Kesihatan menafikan remaja yang menceroboh Hospital Sultan Idris Shah, Serdang, baru-baru ini melakukan prosedur kepada pesakit.
![PRK Nenggiri: Peratusan keluar mengundi indikator, tawan semula atau status quo PRK Nenggiri: Peratusan keluar mengundi indikator, tawan semula atau status quo](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723697236_CalonPRKNenggiri.jpg)
PRK Nenggiri: Peratusan keluar mengundi indikator, tawan semula atau status quo
Peratusan keluar mengundi akan menjadi antara indikator penting yang menentukan keputusan Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Nenggiri Sabtu ini, sama ada Barisan Nasional (BN) berjay
[TERKINI] Banduan Iran ditahan disyaki miliki heroin
Seorang banduan lelaki warga Iran yang sedang menjalani hukuman penjara 30 tahun di Penjara Tapah ditahan pada petang Rabu kerana disyaki memiliki dadah jenis heroin.
!['Keluarga mula sedar kehilangan Nidza Afham selepas dimaklumkan kekasihnya' - Aufahanie 'Keluarga mula sedar kehilangan Nidza Afham selepas dimaklumkan kekasihnya' - Aufahanie](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723698722_NidzaAfham.jpg)
'Keluarga mula sedar kehilangan Nidza Afham selepas dimaklumkan kekasihnya' - Aufahanie
Aufahanie mendedahkan dia dan ahli keluarga mula sedar tentang kehilangan abangnya, Nidza Afham selepas dimaklumkan oleh kekasih arwah abangnya itu.
[TERKINI] Pembunuhan Cikgu Istiqomah: Polis serahkan kertas siasatan kepada PPN hari ini
Kertas siasatan berhubung kes pembunuhan kejam guru wanita Istiqomah Ahmad Rozi, 33, akan diserahkan kepada Pejabat Pendakwaan Negeri (PPN) hari ini untuk arahan lanjut.
![Polis tahan banduan warga Iran miliki dadah di Penjara Tapah Polis tahan banduan warga Iran miliki dadah di Penjara Tapah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723698023_AziziMatAris.jpg)
Polis tahan banduan warga Iran miliki dadah di Penjara Tapah
Seorang banduan warga Iran yang sedang menjalani hukuman di Penjara Tapah didapati memiliki dadah jenis heroin.
![Jangan normalkan remaja bawah umur memandu Jangan normalkan remaja bawah umur memandu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723017349_TBbawahumur.jpg)
Jangan normalkan remaja bawah umur memandu
Masyarakat dinasihatkan untuk tidak menormalkan perbuatan memandu kenderaan oleh remaja bawah umur yang berbahaya termasuk boleh mengakibatkan kematian.
AWANI Ringkas: Bukan arahan saya - Fahmi Fadzil
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Wang kertas tertera wajah Raja Charles dilelong RM5.2 juta
Wang kertas tertera wajah pemerintah monarki Britain, Raja Charles III, berjaya dilelong pada harga 914,127 pound Sterling (RM5.2 juta) dalam empat siri lelongan di London baru-baru ini.
![Korea Selatan, AS dan negara lain mulakan operasi 'Christmas Drop' Korea Selatan, AS dan negara lain mulakan operasi 'Christmas Drop'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-12/51670222761_TBchristmasdrop.jpg)
Korea Selatan, AS dan negara lain mulakan operasi 'Christmas Drop'
Australia, New Zealand dan Jepun turut mengambil bahagian dalam misi yang dijalankan hingga Jumaat.
![Mariah Carey gagal miliki tanda dagang 'Ratu Krismas' Mariah Carey gagal miliki tanda dagang 'Ratu Krismas'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2017-01/81483268973_MariahCarey.jpg)
Mariah Carey gagal miliki tanda dagang 'Ratu Krismas'
Permohonan Mariah Carey untuk mendapatkan tanda dagangan, "Ratu Krismas", "Puteri Krismas" dan "QOC," (singkatan untuk Ratu Krismas) telah ditolak oleh Pejabat Paten dan Tanda Dagangan AS.
![Selepas 25 tahun, lagu 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' akhirnya ungguli carta Billboard Selepas 25 tahun, lagu 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' akhirnya ungguli carta Billboard](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-12/51576546251_TBMARIAHCAREY.jpg)
Selepas 25 tahun, lagu 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' akhirnya ungguli carta Billboard
Lebih bermakna, lagu epik tersebut turut mengungguli carta Rolling Stones sepanjang minggu ini.
![Tiga lebuhraya tawar diskaun 10 peratus sempena Krismas Tiga lebuhraya tawar diskaun 10 peratus sempena Krismas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-12/71513741473_LebuhrayaKajangSer.jpg)
Tiga lebuhraya tawar diskaun 10 peratus sempena Krismas
Ia melibatkan lebuhraya Sungai Besi (BESRAYA), Lebuhraya Baru Pantai (NPE) dan Lebuhraya Kajang-Seremban (LEKAS, Plaza Tol Ampangan).