Christmas

Posted on 16 November 2009.

For some in China, Christmas simply means the opportunity for work. A large proportion of the gifts given by those celebrating the festival around the world are manufactured in China. In recent months, factories have increased production "to meet Christmas orders for everything from Barbie dolls to iPhones, Plasma TVs and designer jeans" (Reuters).

For other Chinese, the celebrations have something to do with Santa Claus, who makes his annual appearance in shops and restaurants in China's big cities. Last year China laid claim to "the world's biggest Santa", when a 160-metre long sculpture of Father Christmas became the centrepiece at the world-renowned ice festival in the northern city of Harbin.

Only a relatively small number of Chinese have any understanding that the reason for the celebrations is the birth of a Saviour, the Lord Jesus. So the recent adoption in China of the outward trappings of a Western Christmas gives a clear opportunity for Christian believers to explain what it's all about. Churches hold Christmas parties and put on nativity plays. Foreign teachers can teach their students Christmas carols and show videos of the Christmas story in order to help them understand Western culture. Some Chinese people also take the opportunity to attend a Christmas church service.

Sadly, Christmas has also been a time when believers face persecution from the authorities. Last year, there were a number of such reports. House churches from eastern Anhui province to the north-western Xinjiang region were known to have been raided during Christmas services. For example, nine Christian leaders in Henan province were detained when they held a special celebration re-enacting the nativity story on the street. They were forced to pay fines of 1,500 to 3,500 yuan.

Pray that many more Chinese people will come to understand the true meaning of Christmas this month. Pray for many to seek out their Christian friends and neighbours to ask them what the celebrations are all about.

Pray for the Lord's anointing on believers as they share their faith during the Christmas season. Pray that their words may truly speak to the hearts of their listeners.

Pray for protection over churches as they hold their Christmas activities. May this year see an increased freedom to celebrate the Saviour's birth.