For Chinese Christians, Christmas is a spiritually significant holiday. The celebration of Christmas provides an important moment for believers to unite spiritually and elevate their faith.
The expectations Chinese Christians have for Christmas activities, along with the church's festive practices, reveal three key characteristics of Christmas celebrations in Chinese churches: sanctity, upholding the core values of Christianity; cultural adaptation, connecting with the wider society to better witness the gospel; and the expression of love through fellowship and acts of charity.
A recent article in an online Christian newspaper the Gospel Times, titled "New Expectations of Christians for Christmas Activities in Today's Church," explores these expectations. The author suggests that Christians' hopes for Christmas celebrations stem from their commitment to their faith and a deep reflection on how faith can be preserved and developed amidst the cultural challenges of modern society. The church’s approach to celebrating Christmas aligns with these expectations, though the focus may vary depending on local contexts.
First, Christmas celebrations must deeply and accurately convey the central meaning of the holiday— the birth of Jesus Christ and the salvation He brings to humanity. Pastors should explain the biblical accounts of Jesus' birth clearly, helping believers understand God's redemption plan and guiding them to strengthen their faith, which they are called to live out in acts of love.
Correspondingly, sacred and classic hymns such as “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World” are essential, and church choirs should maintain a certain level of professionalism. Nativity plays must be performed in a way that aligns with biblical teachings and standards, with actors fully understanding the spiritual depth of the stories they are portraying.
Many churches, such as the Wuxi Christian Church, follow the liturgical calendar during Advent, preparing their congregations spiritually for Christmas by addressing themes "Awakening," "Repentance," "Joy," and "Love and Light" each Sunday. Churches that emphasize biblical teaching organize three-day retreats near Christmas, focusing on spiritual nourishment, often accompanied by performance programs.
While remaining faithful to their beliefs, Christians also aim to witness and share their faith with society. Therefore, during Christmas celebrations, while adhering to the core values of Christianity, there is also a need to incorporate modern cultural elements appropriately.
For example, sermon topics can address contemporary struggles, guiding listeners into the world of faith and demonstrating that religion is not an outdated tradition disconnected from modern life but a source of spiritual nourishment and guidance.
In terms of event planning and promotion, churches may organize fun, light-hearted activities to attract young people and use beautifully designed posters and videos to promote the events on social media. Additionally, using images and videos to illustrate biblical teachings can make sermons more engaging and accessible.
For church decoration, alongside traditional symbols like Christmas trees, lights, and the nativity scene, churches can incorporate modern art styles in their decorations, maintaining religious and cultural heritage while showing openness and inclusivity.
Churches across different regions have made meaningful attempts in this area. For example, in Christmas programs, skits performed in local dialects, often based on everyday life, are very popular. These performances integrate faith into relatable stories, helping the audience feel the power of faith through familiar experiences. Some churches also adapt nativity plays with local costumes, depicting biblical characters in traditional Chinese attire.
Churches in eastern-coastal cities have made various efforts to attract young people. These include interactive activities such as stamp collection for check-ins, social media engagement like "likes" on posts, carnivals, and immersive dramas. In terms of decoration, churches have gone all out with large Christmas trees, cheerful music, warm lighting, and even artificial snow, creating a festive atmosphere. Lanterns, a beloved decoration during Chinese festivals, are also often seen in these churches.
Christmas is also a season for living out love. The entire process of preparing for Christmas celebrations is an opportunity for fellowship among believers. Furthermore, Christians desire to extend their care to vulnerable groups in society. Therefore, churches can organize donation drives during the Christmas season to demonstrate the charitable and loving spirit of Christianity.
Caring for the less fortunate during the Christmas season is also a practice in the global Church. Many churches use this time to send supplies to impoverished areas, prepare Christmas gifts for children in orphanages, or visit elderly people in nursing homes. Some Chinese churches also organize public welfare activities during this period, encouraging believers to participate and collectively demonstrate the charity and love that are central to the Christian faith.
