In Chinese culture, no circle is more significant or beautiful than the full, bright moon on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Reunion is the very heartbeat of the holiday, and the moon’s flawless face is its ultimate emblem.
In response to this same central narrative—the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ—Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant communities have developed remarkably different expressions of remembrance.
Celebrated annually on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, the Double Ninth Festival (重陽節/重阳节) falls on October 11 in 2024. From a Christian perspective on traditional Chinese festivals, it provides an opportunity to reflect on biblical values like wisdom, longevity, and honoring elders, blending cultural heritage with faith.
Perhaps the Passover dinner was not as delicious as the dumplings eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival…Before the Pharaoh of Egypt, the Lord God prepared a banquet for his people, filling their hearts with sweetness, happiness, and joy. God has prepared another banquet for his children, which is the Holy Communion prepared by Jesus for his disciples…where Jesus' love is fully poured out.
This month, our Hui neighbors observe Ramadan—the Muslim month of fasting which culminates with Eid al-Fitr. Yet even for Hui who do not fast, it’s a special time of increased spiritual awareness. Let’s look at four annual festivals and how they might lead to gospel opportunities.
Some thoughts on Halloween for Christians in China.
On September 13, Chinese celebrated one of China’s biggest holidays—Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节). This article from the Gospel Times looks at if and how Christians should observe the holiday.
One of the challenges facing those who come to faith in China is how to handle family relationships during the traditional holidays when they return home to be with family members who do not share their faith and may not accept it. In this article, published in the Christian Times just prior to the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday, a believer shares some thoughts on how Christians can handle the tensions that naturally arise during holiday visits.