by Aminah, age 9 from Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, asks Santa about Christmas tree storage bags, Borneo island, and Christmas in Islamic Brunei.
Dear Santa, my name is Aminah, and I am nine years old. I live in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, where my ibu says our country’s mosque has golden domes so bright they seem to glow even at night.
Dear Aminah, those golden domes are visible from a truly impressive altitude, and I always slow the sleigh for a proper look on my way past.
Santa, I have three questions.
Can I get a Christmas tree storage bag? My friend’s family wraps theirs up carefully every January until next December.
That is very sensible packing, Aminah, a good storage bag keeps a tree looking fresh and tidy for years to come. Wrapping things up carefully after the season is one of the more underrated Christmas skills, honestly.
My teacher says Brunei is a small country located on the island of Borneo. Is that true?
It is true, Aminah, Brunei sits on the island of Borneo, one of the largest islands in the world, shared with parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. I always enjoy that lush, green coastline on my way in.
My ibu says Brunei is an Islamic country, and our small Christian community celebrates Christmas quietly and privately. Is that true?
It is true, Aminah, Brunei is an Islamic sultanate, so most public celebrations follow Islamic tradition, while a small Christian community keeps its own Christmas customs alive quietly within homes and churches. Quiet celebrations still carry every bit as much warmth and meaning as loud ones, I promise you that.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Aminah Yusof
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
P.S. Do you ever get lost among all those golden domes?
Never, Aminah, they make for one of the easiest landmarks on my entire route.
