While Christmas is rooted in Christian traditions and is primarily celebrated by Christians around the world, it has also become a global holiday that transcends religious boundaries. In non-Christian countries like China and India, where Christianity represents a minority of the population, Christmas has evolved into a secular and commercial celebration. The focus is often on family gatherings, gift-giving, and the festive atmosphere rather than religious observance, making Christmas a joyful occasion even in countries where Christianity is not the dominant faith.
In this article, we’ll explore how China and India celebrate Christmas today, examining how Western holiday traditions have blended with local cultures, and how Christmas has become a symbol of modern globalization in these diverse societies.
Christmas in China: A Secular and Commercial Celebration
In China, where less than 1% of the population is Christian, Christmas is not an official public holiday, but its influence has grown significantly in recent years due to globalization, urbanization, and the spread of Western culture. Today, Christmas in China is primarily celebrated as a secular and commercial event, especially in large cities, where Christmas lights, decorations, and sales fill the streets and shopping malls.
A Commercial Festival of Lights and Shopping
In major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, Christmas is seen as an opportunity for businesses to promote sales and attract consumers. Shopping malls and stores are decked out with Christmas trees, twinkling lights, and festive decorations. Retailers host Christmas-themed promotions, offering discounts and special events, much like Black Friday sales in Western countries. As a result, Christmas has become a time for gift-giving and shopping sprees, even among non-Christian families.
The festive atmosphere is particularly evident in hotels, restaurants, and upscale retail stores, where Santa Claus figures, Christmas carols, and large illuminated displays create a winter wonderland. Many Chinese people, especially younger generations, view Christmas as a time for fun and celebration, though it’s more of a novelty than a deeply rooted cultural tradition.
Christmas Eve and “Peace Apples”
One of the unique aspects of Christmas in China is the tradition of giving “peace apples” on Christmas Eve. This custom arose because the word for Christmas Eve in Chinese, Ping’an Ye (平安夜), sounds similar to the word for peace (平安), and apples (苹果, píngguǒ) symbolize peace and safety. On Christmas Eve, it is common for friends, family members, and couples to exchange apples wrapped in colorful packaging as a symbol of good fortune and peace for the coming year.
Romantic Christmas Celebrations
For many young Chinese couples, Christmas is viewed as a romantic holiday, much like Valentine’s Day. Couples often go on dates, exchange gifts, and enjoy festive dinners at restaurants. Hotels and restaurants capitalize on this trend by offering Christmas-themed packages and events tailored to couples looking for a special night out.
While the religious significance of Christmas is not prominent in China, the holiday has taken on a life of its own, blending elements of consumerism, romance, and festivity to create a unique, modern Chinese version of Christmas.
Christmas in India: A Diverse and Vibrant Celebration
In India, where Christianity represents about 2.3% of the population, Christmas is a public holiday in many states and is widely celebrated, particularly in regions with large Christian communities such as Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and parts of the Northeast. However, much like in China, Christmas in India has also been embraced by non-Christians, especially in urban areas, where the holiday has become a festive and commercial event.
Midnight Mass and Religious Observance
For India’s Christian population, Christmas remains a deeply religious holiday centered around the birth of Jesus Christ. Churches across the country hold midnight mass on Christmas Eve, with worshippers gathering to sing hymns, pray, and celebrate the Nativity. After the service, families return home to share a special Christmas meal, often featuring traditional Indian dishes alongside Western-inspired treats.
In regions like Goa, which has a large Catholic population, the streets are decorated with Christmas stars, crèches (nativity scenes), and lights, and the whole community comes together for feasts and celebrations. The influence of Portuguese colonialism is still evident in Goa’s Christmas traditions, where roast meats, wine, and plum cakes are common on the Christmas table.
Christmas Markets and Commercial Celebrations
In urban areas like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai, Christmas has taken on a more secular tone, with shopping malls and markets fully embracing the holiday spirit. Much like in the West, malls are adorned with Christmas trees, lights, and Santa Claus figures, and retailers offer special promotions and discounts during the holiday season. Christmas bazaars and markets also pop up in many cities, offering festive foods, gifts, and handmade crafts.
In cities like Kolkata, the historic neighborhood of Park Street transforms into a hub of Christmas festivities, with restaurants and shops offering holiday treats and special events for visitors. The celebration of Christmas in urban India reflects the country’s openness to global trends and its embrace of multiculturalism.
Regional Christmas Traditions
India’s diverse cultural landscape has given rise to many unique Christmas traditions, with each region adding its own local flavor to the holiday.
- In Kerala, where a large population of Syrian Christians reside, Christmas is marked by church services, processions, and the lighting of traditional oil lamps in homes.
- In Tamil Nadu, churches and homes are decorated with kolam (intricate patterns drawn with rice flour) alongside Christmas stars and nativity scenes.
- In Nagaland, a predominantly Christian state in the Northeast, Christmas is celebrated with traditional dances, carol singing, and community feasts.
- In Goa, traditional Kuswar, a collection of homemade Christmas sweets like neureos, dodole, and bebinca, is prepared and shared with neighbors and friends, symbolizing the spirit of giving and togetherness.
These regional variations in Christmas celebrations reflect India’s cultural diversity, making the holiday a rich blend of religious devotion and festive joy.
Christmas in Bollywood
Another fascinating aspect of Christmas in India is its influence on Bollywood and Indian popular culture. Christmas scenes often appear in Bollywood films, especially in romantic or family dramas, where the holiday serves as a backdrop for important plot developments. Bollywood stars and celebrities also participate in Christmas festivities, further popularizing the holiday among non-Christians in India.
A Modern Take on Christmas in Non-Christian Countries
In both China and India, Christmas has transformed from a religious holiday into a cultural celebration that blends Western traditions with local customs and practices. While Christianity is a minority religion in both countries, the spirit of gift-giving, family gatherings, and festive decorations has become a universal way to mark the holiday season.
For many people in these countries, Christmas is an opportunity to enjoy time with loved ones, indulge in shopping, and embrace the cheerful atmosphere of the holiday — even if the religious significance is not part of their personal celebration. The global spread of Christmas reflects how cultures can adapt and reinterpret holidays, making them their own while preserving the joy and togetherness that the season brings.
Conclusion: A Global Holiday with Local Flavor
Christmas may have its roots in Christianity, but its celebration has expanded far beyond religious borders. In countries like China and India, where Christianity is not the dominant faith, Christmas has evolved into a holiday that emphasizes consumerism, community, and festivity. Whether it’s the peace apples in China or the traditional sweets in Goa, Christmas has been embraced in ways that reflect each country’s unique culture while still drawing from the broader global tradition.
As Christmas continues to grow in popularity around the world, it serves as a reminder of how different cultures can come together to celebrate joy, love, and peace — even in places where the holiday has no historical religious roots.
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