Gift buying, decorations and large feasts are all popular, with only a small sprinkling of traditional Christmas activities such as carolling, sermons and nativity scenes popping up.
Whilst the religious affiliations of Christmas are becoming less prominent in some parts of the Western World, never is Santa Claus more of an icon instead of the Nativity than in China. For the Chinese, Santa is the emblem of the Christmas holidays. The magic of Santa is well received among Chinese children who hang up muslin stockings in the hope of bountiful gifts and treats come the morning.
Giving thanks to their ancestors is a primary philosophy of Chinese people, and come Christmastime goodwill and generosity are extended further through acts of philanthropy to those in need, especially the elderly and children.
The holiday is mostly a commercial event, with China Daily even suggesting that Christmas Eve is the biggest shopping day of the year. You can expect to see large festive decorations similar to those found across America and Europe, including plenty of Christmas trees decorated with lights and paper chains, flowers and lanterns. Many malls also have pop-up grottos where children can visit Santa.
There are also often parades of Santas in the streets or performing bands dressed in the typical red coat and hat. Knowingly, it turns out that most young kids are still fascinated by the Christmas myth, while the big kids begin to doubt the myth or have already found out the heartbreaking truth.
We threw our third question at him. After all, who could resist a tiny shiny racecar as a little boy? In a corner of the toy section, we met another four-year-old named Men Xichen. The little girl with a colorful braid hanging from the back of her head is also a believer of Santa Claus. No surprise: a doll. While little kids still dream of gifts from Santa, big kids doubt his existence.
Lin Han, an eight-year-old, told us that he doesn't believe in Santa Claus. Last Christmas, when they were trying to hide gifts in our house, I found out. Religion has traditionally been an important aspect of Chinese life. Despite the efforts of the Communist Party to wipe out organized religion since it took power in , many people have clung to their beliefs.
The government now recognizes five main religions: Buddhism, Islam, Daoism, Protestantism and Catholicism. The Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association CPCA , established by the government in , supervises the mainland's Catholics and ensures the churches are loyal to the state.
One group practices on the ground, working with the CPCA, and another meets in so-called underground house churches. China is home to more than six million Catholics, according to a report approved at the 8th National Congress of Chinese Catholics in early December, the China Daily said.
But more could be practicing in the "house churches", which remain underground out of fear of harassment or arrest. These churches sprang up after the Communist takeover in , when the government mandated registration of all religious organizations, according to the researcher. He said there is a third group: Catholics who have emerged from underground churches and work with the CPCA -- but who remain loyal to Rome. Beijing and the Vatican severed diplomatic ties in but efforts are under way to reconcile differences.
Beijing allows Chinese Catholics to accept the Pope's spiritual leadership, but insists that Rome makes concessions, too. That includes control over the ordination of Chinese bishops.
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