Chinese vs American Christmas: What are the differences?

1) China likes to decorate for Christmas, but most people live in near complete ignorance of Jesus Christ. Trees, lights, Santas and snowmen abound, but you are unlikely to EVER see a baby Jesus. One student recently stated he had “no idea about the relationship between Christmas and the Christian faith”! And you think America has taken the Christ out of Christmas?

 

2) Tough luck if Christmas falls on a weekday in China, because its not an official holiday. Even if you are a foreigner in China, there’s a decent chance your school or employer will try to require you to show up for work or class on Christmas morning! 

 

3) Those Chinese who do celebrate Christmas treat it much as we would Valentine’s Day; as an excuse to go on a date or spend an evening out on the town. Many Western-style restaurants will even run Christmas specials. In fact, Pizza Hut & KFC in China have been running Christmas specials all month!

 

 4) Chinese churches will sometimes host a Christmas “camp-meeting” for two or three days (including Christmas Day) instead of just merely holding a Christmas Eve service. One such church we work with will be having “church” from about 7am to 3pm each day for three days starting today, December 23rd!

 

5) It also seems to be a custom in many Chinese churches to host a talent show of sorts around Christmas. Twelve years ago this week we were invited to such a service. We saw school children dance and sing, old men play hymns on the harmonica, and my father was even invited to play the piano (while we sang)!

 

6) Christmas evangelism in China is bound to reach people who have NEVER heard the true story of Christ. The same cannot usually be said in Western nations, where everyone has some knowledge of the Nativity and the Gospel (despite how often it is ignored).