The capital city of Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley come alive with bright colourful lights and decorations. Shopping malls and hotels are bedecked with fanciful decorations to attract shoppers and tourists and to outdo their competitors.

Homes are decorated with artificial Christmas trees, greeting cards are displayed, gifts are bought and placed under the tree, and festive songs are played repeatedly.

The Christian community in Malaysia makes up about 7% of the population. They observe Advent (the four-week period prior to Christmas) with prayers, Bible-reading and for some, fasting.

Advent means "coming" in Latin. It signifies the birth and the final coming of Jesus Christ. The period of Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and lasts for about 21 to 28 days.

Some churches, especially the Catholic Church, make use of Advent wreaths during this season. The wreath consists of a circle made out of evergreens and four candles - three purple and one rose-coloured. Each candle represents one of the four Sundays of Advent. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday of Advent. During Christmas Day, four white candles are used. The four candles of Advent represent Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.

Choir groups and church communities will visit and bring festive cheers and goodwills to the orphanage homes, old folks homes and hospital wards.

Christmas Eve is marked by the Christmas dinner which includes the traditional Western fare like nuts, fruitcakes, apple pies and roast turkeys. In Malaysia, however, local fares are often combined and eatened to celebrate this occasion.

It is then followed by prayer and thanksgiving in church for midnight mass or Christmas service. Many Christian groups also stage shows and pageants - which depicts the Nativity - on Christmas Eve.

Christmas day starts off with Christmas mass or church service.

Then, Christian families would hold 'open houses' for friends, relatives and guests from different backgrounds and ethnicities.

The Christmas holiday mood and celebration usually lingers on after Christmas and does not end until after New Year's Day.