The Lantern Festival, observed on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar and coinciding with the full moon, marks the conclusion of the Chinese New Year. It is traditionally celebrated with vibrant lantern displays, riddle guessing, and the enjoyment of Yuanxiao (also known as Tangyuan), a glutinous rice balls dessert. Christian communities across China also took part in the celebrations through various activities last week as it falls on February 12 this year.
According to Beijing Municipal CC&TSPM, Nankou Church hosted a senior fellowship gathering last Tuesday, on the eve of the Lantern Festival. More than 40 elderly believers from the western mountainous area of Changping District participated in the event, which featured a lantern riddle game focused on biblical knowledge. Pastoral workers also distributed festive Yuanxiao to attendees.
As the Lantern Festival approached, Christian activity venues throughout the city marked the occasion with various celebrations, said Zhengzhou Municipal CC&TSPM in Henan Province.
Around the festival, Christian organizations across the city hosted Lantern Festival lectures to introduce its origins and significance to believers. They also organized knowledge quizzes, lantern riddle games, and activities such as lantern-making and enjoying Yuanxiao.
Last Wednesday, February 12, a Lantern Festival gathering convened at the Hexin Church in Helong Town, Nong'an County, Changchun City, Jilin Province, reported a Christian contributor from the Gospel Times.
During the celebration, the minister delivered a sermon highlighting the symbolic meanings of reunion and light in the Lantern Festival, connecting them with the Christian themes of "light" and "love." Believers were encouraged to draw closer to the Lord and let the light of faith shine in every corner of their hearts.
Following this, characters of "Helong Town Hexin Church Lantern Festival Riddles Party" along with a photo of a bowl of white Yuanxiao, each inscribed with a fruit of the Holy Spirit, was displayed on the big screen in front of the main hall, marking the start of the riddle-guessing game.
A series of Bible knowledge riddles were shown on the big screen, prompting enthusiastic participation from attendees and fostering a joyful, festive atmosphere.
According to Hangzhou Municipal CC&TSPM, the first session of the 2025 "Preaching in Zhejiang: Traditional Culture Lecture" series, titled "Lantern Festival," was held last Wednesday at Gulou Church. The event was co-hosted by the Hangzhou Religious Research Institution and Hangzhou Municipal CC&TSPM, with leaders, staff members from the municipal CC&TSPM, and pastoral and administrative workers from various churches across the city in attendance.
Rev. Wang Fengyan centered her lecture on the Lantern Festival, discussing its origins, customs, foods, and significance. She drew a comparison between the Chinese New Year and the Jewish New Year, highlighting how both festivals, as vital cultural traditions, embody spiritual meanings of rebirth, reunion, and hope for their respective nations.
Later, Rev. Ni Xiaolu of Banshan Church shared her experiences from the past six months studying at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute in Switzerland.
Rev. Sun Yaguo, vice president and general secretary of the municipal CC, provided an update on the restoration of the live broadcast function of the "Ren Ai Hangzhou APP" and discussed the editing and proofreading of the collection “Christianity and the ‘View of God’ in Chinese Traditional Culture.”
The workplace fellowship of Jiaojiang Church in Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, hosted a Lantern Festival event on the evening of February 12, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, according to the church. The gathering featured singing, prayer, and preaching. Attendees were divided into eight groups to complete a puzzle, followed by a shared meal of Tangyuan.
According to a report from Guangzhou Municipal CC&TSPM in Guangdong Province, as the Lantern Festival approaches, churches in Guangzhou are organizing a variety of activities to celebrate. Each church is hosting unique folk events and garden tours to mark the occasion.
On the day of the Lantern Festival, Shamian Church in Guangzhou City hosted an event that blended traditional Chinese culture with Christian culture, said the church.
At 3 p.m., believers gathered in a circle to make Tangyuan. By 5:30 p.m., the table was filled with Tangyuan and festive meals as everyone came together to celebrate. At 7 p.m., the Lantern Festival party commenced, featuring lantern riddle guessing and Bible question-and-answer sessions.
Following this, Rev. Xu Jieping, executive vice chairperson and vice president of the Guangdong Provincial CC&TSPM, quoted the Bible and connected the tradition of lighting lanterns during the Lantern Festival with the theme of "Light and Love." The event concluded with believers taking the stage to share their personal stories of practicing their faith.
According to the hosting church, Shatoujiao Church in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, held its 15th Lantern Festival Care for the Elderly event last Wednesday, with 98 seniors aged 60 and above attending.
On that day, following an ice-breaking activity, Minister Li Songsong shared a sermon on the theme of "Bread of Life" from the Gospel of John. He encouraged the attending elders to come before the Lord, not merely to eat bread to be filled, but to allow the Savior, Jesus Christ, to become the spiritual bread of their lives. He urged them to become the watchmen of their families and the spiritual covering for their households.
During the testimony-sharing session, nine believers shared their experiences. Some congregants, who had moved away from the community for family reasons, were able to return to Shatoujiao Church after 3 to 5 years. Overcome with emotion, they spoke of God’s guidance in their lives and expressed their firm resolve to follow the Lord closely.
Rev. Qiu Quan, senior pastor of the church, emphasized that the elderly members are a treasure to the church and that respecting the elderly is not only a traditional virtue in China but also a Christian faith heritage. Following this, each elder present received a red envelope as a gesture of festive greetings.
