KUCHING: As Christians across Sarawak prepare to mark Christmas, many are approaching the season with a spirit shaped as much by reflection as by celebration.
Beyond festive decorations and family gatherings, the voices shared reveal a collective pause, a moment to look back on a year that tested resilience, faith and patience, while giving thanks for having endured it.
For some, simply making it through the year is already a victory worth acknowledging.
At the heart of these Christmas hopes is a deep longing for peace, on the roads during the rainy season, within families, and in personal lives still bearing the weight of uncertainty.
Safety, healing and togetherness emerge as recurring wishes, alongside gentle reminders to cherish loved ones and slow down amid life’s demands.
Many see Christmas not as an escape from hardship, but as a space to find warmth, renewal and reassurance that better days can still unfold.
Sarawak Tribune spoke to some members of the public on their hopes and wishes.
Chris Adam Darom, 37, Cafe Owner
“To all road users, especially those celebrating Christmas, please drive carefully during this rainy season and think of your loved ones. May you reach your destination safely. Enjoy every moment with family and friends, and may the events of this year serve as lasting lessons and memories. May all your past wishes come true in the new year, filled with blessings, and Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating.”
Abidgail Merta, 26, Digital Marketer
“Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Somewhere between this holiday season, we all slow down just enough to think. As timelines fill with highlights and achievements, remember it’s okay if this year felt more like survival than celebration. If all we did was get through it, that alone is a big win. May this season bring you warmth where it’s been heavy, peace where things felt uncertain & gentle hope that the year ahead will meet you with softer days and possibilities that feel right.”
Hazel Melville, 28, Real Estate Agent
“On this blessed Christmas Day, may we draw closer to God and allow His love to fill our lives as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. I pray for God’s peace to be with our families, healing for wounded hearts, and strength for those facing life’s challenges. May the message of Christmas guide us to choose goodness, practice forgiveness, and serve others with humility and love. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2026. May God bless us all with peace, faith, and enduring hope.”
Colinna Radang, 31, Private Worker
“Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating, and may this season bring peace, love, and meaningful togetherness. I also wish the community a Happy New Year 2026, filled with renewed spirit, strength, and hope. Let us learn from past mistakes, grow as better individuals, and move forward with sincerity and optimism.”
Lulu Law, 38, Public Servant
“Christmas holds a special meaning for me as it marks the birth of Jesus Christ, a reminder that hope can be born even in the simplest of moments. May this season renew our faith, fill our hearts with peace, and encourage us to extend love and compassion to those around us. This season invites us to pause, give thanks, and live out His teachings of love, kindness, and service in our daily lives.”
