Finding Christmas in Chinese Television Dramas

When I was growing up in Guangzhou in the 1990s, Christmas was only a foreign holiday. There weren’t decorations visible in the streets, except for lights on a few large hotels. The Pearl River runs through the heart of the city and on the north side of the river sat the American consulate. The city’s most famous hotel and the one most popular for foreign visitors was the White Swan Hotel, located adjacent to the American consulate. The White Swan Hotel always put the city’s most elaborate Christmas lights on the side of its building, which could be seen from miles away across the river. When I think of Christmas now, I still think of those Christmas lights I saw when crossing the Pearl River as a child. Now, more than ten years later, the popularity of Christmas has spread across China. This year, many of my Chinese elementary school friends posted pictures online of decorating trees in their offices. Christmas has not become an official government holiday in mainland China, but it has entered the cultural and commercial mainstream of Chinese society.

Still, the true meaning of Christmas remains elusive to many. Christmas is translated as 圣诞 (shèng dàn) in Chinese. Translated back into English, it literally means “birth of a saint,” or “birth of a sage.” Confucius has traditionally been called a 圣人 (shèng rén), with the same character. In addition, most Chinese people have heard of some of the Roman Catholic saints. On the surface, therefore, Chinese conveys the meaning that Christmas celebrates the birth of a foreign sage. A very special sage, no doubt, but nonetheless a human not unlike Confucius.

Over time, most educated Chinese people learn that Christians believe Christmas actually celebrates the birth of Christ, a man who would eventually die on the cross for the sin of mankind. When I first heard of Jesus Christ as a child in China, my first reaction was typical, “Why does he think he needs to be punished for our sin? I don’t have any sin.” In Chinese, sin is translated as 罪 (zuì), the same character for “crime.” The magnitude of incarnation did not hit me until I became a Christian many years later.

As I reflect on the meaning of Christmas now, my thoughts lead me back to China in the 1990s. Through much of the late 1990s and early 2000s, there was a series of popular television shows, loosely based on true events, that depicted the covert journeys of ancient emperors who disguised themselves as commoners and visited different parts of the country. Their goal was to observe the lives of common citizens and to evaluate the performance of local officials. It was a way for the emperor to demonstrate his love for his people and his distaste for local injustice. Of course, the TV audience also enjoyed the humor, absurdity, and romance that often occurred along the way during these trips.

These stories usually followed a similar pattern. First, the emperor noticed something suspicious in a local area that prompted him and some of his officials to disguise themselves as wealthy merchants to visit the area. Along the way, they encountered a series of comical events and sometimes, they even got into trouble with local authorities who did not recognize their true identities. As the emperor and his officials conducted their undercover investigation, corruption was found (it was always some sort of corruption), and the local officials grew nervous and conducted a series of cover-up activities.

At the climax of the drama, the emperor always revealed his true identity. The man who had been mocked, who looked like a fool, and who seemed powerless against the corrupt local authorities was actually the one who held absolute power over the whole empire. This dramatic revelation often brought the corrupt local officials to their knees (literally), and allowed the emperor to exercise his authority to punish the bad guys and restore justice.

These comical TV dramas capture for us, in a much smaller scale, the incarnation. The Lord of the universe came into the midst of mankind as a small babe, unrecognized, and unheralded. Isaiah 53:2 tell us, “He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.” His birth demonstrated that God is not an uncaring deity who sits far away on his throne, but rather he is the King who comes alongside his people, eats with them, and weeps with them. As the carol rings, “Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.” He heralds peace and healing, and he restores justice to his creation.

Yet this demonstration of love and justice does not climax with the King exercising his authority to pronounce punishment on the world; instead, he takes the punishment on himself, even from those who mock him, so that those who believe in him can be set free from the punishment they deserve. This is a divine drama with a surprise twist, and we eagerly wait for its final ending. This twist grants us the grace that we did not even dare to hope for, and therefore, we can sing with the angels, “Glory to the newborn king, peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”

 

Ryan currently lives in the Boston metro area and is a student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He immigrated to the United States from China in 1999.


Would You Pray With Us Today?

Sign up to receive our weekly prayer emails with requests for the house church in China

Share This Story

Further Reading

zhimai-zhang--2RoVoqtNCs-unsplash
Full-Time: Testimony of God's Grace and Call
Read More
serwin365-Vwc7Tui8GFY-unsplash
Burden Lifted: Testimony of God's Grace and Call
Read More
petr-sidorov-fHT4wSJ-M04-unsplash
Not a Shred of Peace: Testimony of God's Grace and Call
Read More

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA

With rising pressure and persecution in China, there are two challenges imperative for church leaders. The first challenge is for current leaders to love Christ above all else, and not to stray into legalism or love of the world. The second challenge is to raise up the next generation of leaders, who will humbly model Jesus even if current leaders are arrested.

WILL YOU JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA? PRAY FOR:

  1. Current leaders to grow in their daily walks with Christ
  2. Current leaders to shepherd and raise up new leaders
  3. New leaders who love Christ and will model him to the world
  4. New leaders to love and care for the church

Videos

ABOUT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

About Shenyang

Shenyang is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Liaoning Province. It is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, including the Shenyang Imperial Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Shenyang is also a hub for China’s heavy industry, with companies such as the China First Automobile Group and the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation having their headquarters in the city.

Videos

Stories from Shenyang

About Qingdao

Qingdao is a city located in eastern China and is famous for its beaches, beer, and seafood. The city is home to several landmarks, including the Zhanqiao Pier and the Badaguan Scenic Area. Qingdao is also a major port and has a thriving economy, with industries such as electronics, petrochemicals, and machinery.

Videos

Stories from Qingdao

About Xiamen

Xiamen is a city located in southeastern China and is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful coastal scenery, including Gulangyu Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is also a hub for China’s high-tech industry, with companies such as Huawei and ZTE having research and development centers in Xiamen.

Videos

Stories from Xiamen

About Chongqing

Chongqing is a city located in southwestern China and is a major economic center in the region. The city is known for its spicy cuisine, especially its hot pot dishes, and is also famous for the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam. Chongqing is also home to several historic sites, including the Dazu Rock Carvings, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Videos

Stories from Chongqing

About Nanjing

Nanjing is a city located in eastern China and is the capital of Jiangsu Province. It is one of China’s ancient capitals and has a rich cultural history, including the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the Nanjing City Wall, and the Confucius Temple. Nanjing is also a modern city with a thriving economy and is home to several universities, including Nanjing University and Southeast University.

Videos

Stories from Nanjing

About Changchun

Changchun is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Jilin Province. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and is home to several historical landmarks such as the Puppet Emperor’s Palace and the Jingyuetan National Forest Park. Changchun is also a hub for China’s automotive industry, with several major automobile manufacturers having their headquarters in the city.

Videos

Stories from Changchun

About Guangzhou

Guangzhou, also known as Canton, is a city located in southern China and is the capital of Guangdong Province. It is one of the country’s largest and most prosperous cities, serving as a major transportation and trading hub for the region. Guangzhou is renowned for its modern architecture, including the Canton Tower and the Guangzhou Opera House, as well as its Cantonese cuisine, which is famous for its variety and bold flavors. The city also has a rich history, with landmarks such as the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. Additionally, Guangzhou hosts the annual Canton Fair, the largest trade fair in China.

Videos

Stories from Guangzhou

About Kunming

Kunming is a city located in southwest China and is the capital of Yunnan Province. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its mild climate, Kunming is a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty and cultural diversity. The city is home to several scenic spots, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Stone Forest, Dian Lake, and the Western Hills. Kunming is also famous for its unique cuisine, which features a mix of Han, Yi, and Bai ethnic flavors. The city has a rich cultural history, with ancient temples and shrines like the Yuantong Temple and the Golden Temple, and it’s also a hub for Yunnan’s ethnic minority cultures, such as the Yi and Bai peoples.

Videos

Stories from Kunming

About Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a city located in southeastern China and is one of the country’s fastest-growing metropolises. The city is renowned for its thriving tech industry, with companies such as Huawei, Tencent, and DJI having their headquarters in Shenzhen. The city also has a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, art galleries, and parks. Shenzhen is also known for its modern architecture, such as the Ping An Finance Center and the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. Despite its modernization, Shenzhen also has a rich history and cultural heritage, with landmarks such as the Dapeng Fortress and the Chiwan Tin Hau Temple.

Videos

Stories from Shenzhen

About Chengdu

Chengdu is a city located in the southwestern region of China, and the capital of Sichuan province. It has a population of over 18 million people, and it is famous for its spicy Sichuan cuisine, laid-back lifestyle, and its cute and cuddly residents – the giant pandas. Chengdu is home to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where visitors can observe these adorable creatures in their natural habitat. The city also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with numerous temples, museums, and historical sites scattered throughout its boundaries. Chengdu is a city of contrasts, with ancient traditions coexisting alongside modern developments, making it an intriguing and fascinating destination for visitors to China. 

Videos

Stories from Chengdu

About Beijing

Beijing is the capital city of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 21 million people. The city has a rich history that spans over 3,000 years, and it has served as the capital of various dynasties throughout China’s history. Beijing is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in China, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven. The city is also a hub for political, cultural, and educational activities, with numerous universities and research institutions located within its boundaries. Beijing is renowned for its traditional architecture, rich cuisine, and vibrant cultural scene, making it a must-visit destination for travelers to China.

Videos

Stories from Beijing

About Shanghai

Shanghai is a vibrant and dynamic city located on the eastern coast of China. It is the largest city in China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 24 million people. Shanghai is a global financial hub and a major center for international trade, with a rich history and culture that spans over 1,000 years. The city is famous for its iconic skyline, which features towering skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower. Shanghai is also home to a diverse culinary scene, world-class museums and art galleries, and numerous shopping districts. It is a city that is constantly evolving and reinventing itself, making it a fascinating destination for visitors from around the world.

Videos

Stories from Shanghai

give

A short message about partnering with us.