Ever wonder what Christmas celebrations are like in another country? We did! That is why this December we are going to be studying Christmas celebrations in different cultures for our Christmas countdown. We are calling it the 12 Days of Christmas Around the World. Today is day 2, and it’s all about Christmas in China!
The 12 Days of Christmas Around the World
Day 2: What is Christmas like in China?
Verse of the Week
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
First Things First
- Read Isaiah 9
Christmas in China
Unlike many other places around the world, Christmas is NOT a public holiday in China. And, if you do happen to celebrate the Christmas holiday, you more likely know how to sing songs like “Jingle Bells” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” than “Away in a Manger” or “Silent Night.”
Why? Because only about 1% of people in China are Christians. If Chinese do celebrate it’s usually a secular rendition of the holiday with a Santa who is known as the “Old Christmas Man.” Oddly enough, most of the world’s plastic Christmas décor is made in China by people who don’t even know what they are used for!
Books About Christmas in China
- The Coming Day by Alice Burnett Poynor
- Celebrate Chinese New Year by Carolyn Otto
- Dragon Dance by Joan Holub and Benrei Huang
- Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin
- Moonbeams, Dumplings, and Dragon Boats by Nina Simonds and Leslie Swartz
Copywork to Share
- Copy the following Bible verse onto some Christmas stationary, and share it with a friend or family member as an early Christmas present.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)
Christmas Math
Craft
Want to participate in the entire 12 Days of Christmas Around the World? You can check out all the posts rights here on the 12 Days of Christmas Around the World home page. Be sure to pin it while you are at it so you can refer back to it year after year!
