Merry Christmas from China!

Dear Jesse,

Did you know that last year, two-thirds of all the world’s Christmas artificial trees and decorations were made in China? Isn’t that amazing! What makes it really strange is that many people who made those trees and decorations don’t even celebrate Christmas.

I realized during my first Christmas in China that most of the people here have no concept of the true meaning of Christmas. For many people it is just another day.

Of course for Christians in China, Christmas is a time for gathering in church to worship. Actually, most of the services are held on Christmas Eve. Usually the services last for a long time and include choirs and singing and drama and preaching. Unlike many of our U.S. services where we usually try to limit the worship time to about one hour, many Chinese Christians are happy to worship for hours.

It is such a contrast. On one hand so many have never heard about Jesus, and on the other hand so many who want to worship Him for hours on end. Christmas reminds me more than ever how important it is for me to join with Chinese Christians in telling others about His love.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. As we celebrate from a half a world away from each other, let’s both of us try to remember that Christmas gift giving and music and parties and meals are simply ways to celebrate what Christ did for us when He came to earth as a baby.

Merry Christmas! Or as the Chinese say, “Sheng dan kwai le!”

Love from China,

Auntie D