In Christmases past, every December saw the streets of Orchard Road lined with festive booths, art and light displays and performances by Celebrate Christmas in Singapore (CCIS).

For 16 years, the annual CCIS event by inter-denominational churches and multi-generational participants sought, amidst the bright lights of Orchard Road, to remember the Christ in Christmas.

This year, in view of the restrictive social distancing measures, CCIS has gone online, for the first time, with an original Christmas music video. 

Titled A Christmas Like No Other, the three-minute video set against the Singapore skyline was released on YouTube on December 5. The song was subsequently released on Spotify on December 11. 

United in spirit

A Christmas Like No Other features eight singers from different denominations ranging from Methodist and Presbyterian to Pentecostal churches. 

The youngest is 16-year-old Alex Stone, while the oldest is Uli Wong, a grandmother in her sixties.

The most recognisable face is Isaac Ong, whom viewers will remember from local singing competitions The Final 1 and The Voice, as well as 987 FM’s How He Loves Us.

“We wanted to include Christian singers from different age groups and walks of life,” said Tay Hui Luan, the video’s associate producer. 

“Amazingly, all eight individuals we approached said yes and they willingly took time off their busy schedules to record their vocals and shoot the MV (music video).” 

In a spirit of unity, the music video features eight singers from different ages and denominations. Photo courtesy of CCIS.

The ethos of CCIS has always been to invite a diversity of churches and individuals to participate in the annual outreach event at Orchard Road.

As an independent platform, CCIS is dependent on the support of churches and individuals for its participation, prayers and financial support. 

“Everyone coming together for this event is for the singular purpose of sharing the message of God’s love through the gift of Jesus Christ during the Christmas celebrations.

“There must be the unity of one heart, one mind, one purpose,” CCIS spokesman Victor Ng told Salt&Light. 

In the video, the singers are shown superimposed on iconic Singapore landmarks such as Marina Bay Sands, Gardens By The Bay and Clarke Quay in hologram-like images.

It made for captivating cinematography. But that was a strategic decision more than an artistic one, revealed Nora Fong, the video’s producer and director, as Covid-19 restrictions and regulations meant that the production team was not able to move about in groups to shoot freely.

The singers are superimposed on iconic Singapore landmarks such as Marina Bay Sands, Gardens By The Bay and Clarke Quay in hologram-like images. Screengrab of YouTube video.

“I wanted to produce an MV that exuded excellence and would be of a global level, to showcase our beautiful country,” said Fong.

“I thought of this idea of having the singers displayed on iconic buildings and locations around Singapore, since it’s about Celebrating Christmas In Singapore, after all. Superimposing the singers on buildings (using a green screen studio video shoot) was the best solution for the shooting restrictions.” 

Message of hope

The MV’s message of unity is also underscored by a message of hope in the evocative lyrics.

The chorus goes: “What if it’s not about the parties, or the decorated trees? What if it’s not about the presents, or the brightly lit up streets? If we only look around, there’s love to be found, in little acts of love and hearts of glee, maybe You’re what Christmas means to me.”

The songwriters are siblings Joanna, Matthew and Christopher Theng, known collectively as JMC Thengs. They wanted to write a song that “acknowledged the current unprecedented reality while championing the hope we have in Christ”.

The siblings told Salt&Light: “The message of the song is that Christmas is so much more than just parties or decorated trees. We want to show others what Christmas really means – through our actions and words of love.”

This is first song they have written together as siblings.

The songwriters are siblings Joanna, Matthew and Christopher Theng, known collectively as JMC Thengs. Photo courtesy of CCIS.

Tay added: “We want to remind everyone that no matter what they’ve been through this year, and regardless of their circumstance this Christmas, there is a beautiful gift waiting for them to receive, one of unshakeable hope and joy – and His name is Jesus.”

This Christmas message is one that has kept the CCIS committee going in spite of the pivots needed this year.

CCIS was launched in 2004 after local evangelist, Rev Oh Beng Khee, invited some overseas Christian leaders to Orchard Road for dinner and to admire the the stunning Christmas decorations, said Victor Ng, the logistics chairman of CCIS. 

“The comments after the tour were that the lights and decorations were beautiful but, sadly, the true essence of Christmas was missing. In its place, Santa Claus, reindeer, gifts and presents and snowy winters took centrestage. The Christ of the Christmas was not depicted.”

A few leaders in the community were inspired to see if churches would contribute to bring back the true meaning of Christmas and to share the joy of Christ on Orchard Road.  

At the very first CCIS event in 2004, thousands lined a car-free Orchard Road to watch the hour-long performance featuring both local and international Christian performers. Photo courtesy of CCIS.

The very first CCIS event took place across a month, with charity booths and dioramas which told the Christmas story. There were also several stages for performers to sing carols to the public. 

That year, the public response to the event was so huge that a segment of Orchard Road had to be closed to vehicular traffic to allow for a coordinated live performance. Thousands lined the car-free Orchard Road to watch the hour-long performance featuring both local and international Christian performers. 

“Many had thought that the road closure was too big a task for a group of enthusiastic Christians to manage, but, God be praised, everything went silky smooth and to clockwork precision,” recalled Ng, who has been volunteering with CCIS since its inception. 

Previous CCIS events featured live performances telling the Christmas story. Photo courtesy of CCIS.

“God’s message for sending Jesus into this world cannot be stopped just because there is a pandemic. It is during these times that the Christmas message must be louder and clearer,” Ng added. 

And while the pandemic has forced CCIS to move online, he acknowledged that it is not necessarily a bad thing. 

“This year, CCIS will not just be catering to those who turn up at Orchard Road, but at the click of the button, anyone can receive this programme worldwide.

“Just like everyone is now connected online for conversations, the message of God’s love can also go that way.”

Other than the music video, this year’s CCIS programme also includes online performances and interactive activities from December 16-24, with the English shows on December 21 & 23. You can view the performance schedule here. 

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