The queues snaking around elaborately-festooned department
stores, packed restaurants and endless loops of cheery music could
only mean one thing: Christmas had come to Beijing.
No one could escape the arrival of what has arguably become one
of the most popular Western imports. And while the holiday means
something different to everyone, from the most pious church-goer to
the keenest rationalist and all points in between, there is no
doubting how tightly Christmas has taken hold of people's
imaginations around the world. Love it or not, it seems like
Christmas is here to stay.
For some of the religious, Christmas Eve festivities began in
Beijing yesterday with a morning service at the main auditorium of
the 21st Century Hotel, where about 200 expatriates gathered to
sing carols and pray together.
"Christmas Eve is my favorite time of year," said Stephannie
Tebow, coordinator for the Beijing International Christian
Fellowship. "It is not so much a festival, but a celebration of
hope."
"(The ceremony) was moving and emotional," said Tebow, an
Illinois native who teaches performing arts at an international
school in Beijing. "People go to church like a family."
Tebow played piano and sang a duet of O Holy Night during the
service, which ran from 9:30?AM to 11 AM.
"It was a special time for us to think about hope and the gifts
that God gives us. And how I give back to the world and others,"
Tebow said.
Of course, the secular images associated with the holiday are
also in evidence. For young Chinese, these are perhaps the most
exciting part of the holiday season.
"The Christmas atmosphere is everywhere," said Zhou Zifu, a
college student. "Young people are excited about it."
"My roommates decorated our dormitory with various Santas, red
socks and gold-colored bells. The school also put an artificial
tree in the hall of our dorm building."
He added that the traditional festivities associated with the
Spring Festival seemed simple compared with the elaborate effort
that goes into celebrating Christmas.
"During Spring Festival, we eat and do the same things every
year. Firecrackers are not even allowed in many cities, but
Christmas offers something new."
When it comes to leisure activities and entertainment, few
people are willing to split hairs about whether the practice is
from the East or West.
Either way, Christmas spirit seems to be doing wonders for local
businesses.
At a cinema on the North Third Ring Road, ticket prices were
almost double, and most shows were nearly sold out by the
afternoon.
It took 20 minutes and double the normal price of a ticket for
Song Bin to get a seat for Curse of the Golden Flower.
"I was almost crushed by the crowd," said Song, 26, who had
bought the tickets 4 hours earlier. "If I had come a half hour
later, there would have been no tickets left."
"It was crowded because today is a festival day and also a
weekend," said Kang Yue, 25, an accountant, who had also bought
tickets hours earlier to watch films with her brother and
friends.
"To me, Christmas doesn't mean religion or Western culture. It
is an opportunity to relax and meet friends," said Kang.
"It is true that more and more Chinese people admire Western
culture. But for me nothing tops the Spring Festival. It is a time
for us to meet with our families."
Shanghai, one of the first Chinese cities to embrace Western
culture, has a long history of celebrating Christmas.
"It seems like some of the old fashions are coming back," said
Camille Lok, a Canadian Chinese and a retired English-language
editor.
Lok, in his 80s, graduated from St John's University in Shanghai
and emigrated to Canada in the late 1980s. He returned to Shanghai
in 1996 and has stayed in the city ever since.
"In my university days, we also had Christmas parties at my home
or in my classmates' homes, just like young people are doing now,"
he said.
Lok said he had invited some colleagues to his home for
afternoon tea and a Christmas dinner.
"I will play Bing Crosby's CD of 'White Christmas' and some
other golden oldies, and I will ask people to dance, whether they
are young or old, " he added.
Li Huan, a music critic, said he was planning to throw a party
at his apartment. "I will be playing the Glen Miller Orchestra's
Christmas Collections for my six guests, but dancing is not a must.
I know some of us don't know how to," he said.
To have more of a festive atmosphere, Li said he and his
girlfriend had picked up some ornaments from the supermarket to
decorate their flat.
Ming Chung, a graphic designer from Singapore, said he preferred
to throw a party at home than to go to a gathering at some
hotel.
"My friend invited me to a party at his home. He even ordered a
turkey. It is more interesting," said Ming, who has been working in
Shanghai for three years. This year marks his second Christmas in
Shanghai.
Some chic young women are planning to celebrate the holiday by
eating out a restaurant.
"I ordered dinner in at fine restaurant Club Shanghai and
invited several friends. I don't like to cook and wash dishes. The
restaurant offers wonderful music as well," said Zhou Rong, an
office administrator.
Thanks to customers like Zhou, the restaurant saw its business
triple yesterday, said Bao Han, the marketing manager of Club
Shanghai.
Shanghai Community Church, a large Christian cathedral on
Hengshan Road, last night attracted thousands of visitors most of
them local Chinese.
Hundreds had to stand on the pavement outside the building as
the church, which can accommodate about 2,000 worshippers, was
full.
"There is no room for so many people," said Bill Oberg, 58, who
has been working in Shanghai for more than one year. It's the first
time the American attended the event in a Chinese church.
He said he was impressed to see so many Chinese worshippers and
"it's good for them to come."
Some visitors traveled hundreds of kilometers from neighboring
provinces to witness the holy event.
(China Daily December 25, 2006)