Letters from Overseas

December 2008

• The Amity Foundation
  Education Division
  71 Hankou Road
  Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008
  CHINA

I’m just getting ready to go away to Beijing but I thought I would check in about Christmas. The church service on Christmas Eve was unlike anything I had ever experienced, but it certainly was a Chinese way of showing respect and honouring someone. I was seated in the church at 4:45 and by 7:00 there was no more standing room at the back or stool-sitting in the aisles, with probably 4,000 in a space for 2,000. I’m not sure what was happening outside!

There were scenes of grasslands projected onto the huge screen at the front and a variety of Christmas music, sacred and secular. It was fascinating to watch choirs and soloists practising in the midst of the noise and bustle of sound and lighting engineers. The decor is always interesting in a Chinese church.

At 6:30 we were led in singing some of the traditional English and Chinese Christmas hymns. The program started with a rather long prayer promptly at 7:00. For the next hour the program took the format of a “gala”—performers formally dressed giving their best performances, introduced by what seems to be the requisite male and female hosts. There were recitations, many choirs—including several teen groups who incorporated movements into their performances, dancers, and drama groups.

At 8:00 we paused for a 55-minute sermon which talked about the birth of Jesus in our hearts and lives (my friend Karin understands Chinese) and included recognition and prayers for new believers. The hosts returned and the performance continued until 10:20. We ended with prayer. When we went out on the street there was a carnival atmosphere with sparklers, Christmas firecrackers for sale, and balloon men with huge bunches of colourful balloons and candy floss. Although this was very different from what I am used to, I was really glad to be a part of the celebration of Jesus’ coming to earth in such a serious and festive way.

On Christmas morning, my students arrived very excitedly to celebrate Christmas with the nativity story, crackers, games, songs, Western snacks, Christmas pudding, presents, and hot apple cider. We had a wonderful time together. They loved the crackers and thought that Christmas pudding was too sweet. The whole event was a hit!

In the afternoon/evening I had an open house—I don’t think this concept is very familiar to the Chinese. I had a number of people who arrived early and stayed until 8:00, but most people dropped in for an hour or two for some apple cider and snacks. The guests were a mix of students (not my own, but others with whom I have developed relationships), church people, teachers, and neighbours. I would say that for me, one result is that I now would have the courage to invite foreign students to my home to celebrate Christmas or some other Western holiday.

Blessings, Mary

Mary Fraser is a United Church of Canada Overseas Personnel serving with the Amity Foundation in China. The work of this ecumenical partner and the work of overseas personnel are made possible through your gifts to the Mission and Service Fund of The United Church of Canada.