Christmas lights in Shibuya, downtown TokyoChristmas is everywhere in Japan. So many are the Christmas trees, lights, and carols playing in the stores and along the streets that, at first glance, one would never imagine that this nation has no Christian heritage and little real understanding of what and Who Christmas really is. Conversations, however, are revealing.
Last week, for example, I was at our exercise gym. Kaori, one of our trainers, was chatting with me. Of course, she could chitchat since she wasn’t working out. I, on the other hand, was struggling just to breathe. Needless to say, the conversation was quite one-sided, and my responses to her questions were more monosyllables and grunts rather than real dialogue—until she broached the subject of Christmas.
“What are you doing for Christmas?” she queried.
“Going to Kobe,” I managed to answer while continuing to attack the green and purple stacking blocks used for stepping up and down. (Good for your heart, I was told—as long as you don’t have a heart attack.) Then I coughed out three more words, “To our church.”
“Nice! A church must be a great place for Christmas,” Kaori responded enthusiastically.
Her comment brought me to an immediate halt in mid-step. More than a little incredulously, I blurted out in reply, “Of course! Church is where Christmas is real. Where else would you celebrate Christmas?”
Kaori laughed, “We Japanese love festivals, any festivals. Buddhist, Shinto, Christian, Hindu, whatever.”
At her prompting, I resumed my up and down rhythm on the blocks. Trying to talk further was difficult, but since I was pondering her words, it was just as well. To Kaori, Christmas is an excuse for a party. She’s open to a fun time anywhere, even in church. But nothing will be different when the party is over. The more I thought about it, the sadder I felt. What a hollow celebration—having fun that will only fade away because she doesn’t understand the reason and source of Christmas.
Recently I’ve heard that Japanese youth today regard Christmas as a season for couples. Perhaps it’s a lead-in to Valentine’s Day, when women give men milk or dark chocolate, and White Day one month later, when men return the gifts with white. Whatever the reason, an American friend was surprised by a young man’s response to her cheery farewell. “Have a merry Christmas,” she’d said. “Oh no,” he replied, “I’m single.”
So here it is three weeks before Christmas. I’m preparing for church activities, of course, and they are many. But I’m thinking it’s time to revamp my schedule so I can be outside the church more this month. Otherwise, culture will continue to define Christmas. And quite frankly, culture—both in Japan and in America—has got it all wrong.
Last week, for example, I was at our exercise gym. Kaori, one of our trainers, was chatting with me. Of course, she could chitchat since she wasn’t working out. I, on the other hand, was struggling just to breathe. Needless to say, the conversation was quite one-sided, and my responses to her questions were more monosyllables and grunts rather than real dialogue—until she broached the subject of Christmas.
“What are you doing for Christmas?” she queried.
“Going to Kobe,” I managed to answer while continuing to attack the green and purple stacking blocks used for stepping up and down. (Good for your heart, I was told—as long as you don’t have a heart attack.) Then I coughed out three more words, “To our church.”
“Nice! A church must be a great place for Christmas,” Kaori responded enthusiastically.
Her comment brought me to an immediate halt in mid-step. More than a little incredulously, I blurted out in reply, “Of course! Church is where Christmas is real. Where else would you celebrate Christmas?”
Kaori laughed, “We Japanese love festivals, any festivals. Buddhist, Shinto, Christian, Hindu, whatever.”
At her prompting, I resumed my up and down rhythm on the blocks. Trying to talk further was difficult, but since I was pondering her words, it was just as well. To Kaori, Christmas is an excuse for a party. She’s open to a fun time anywhere, even in church. But nothing will be different when the party is over. The more I thought about it, the sadder I felt. What a hollow celebration—having fun that will only fade away because she doesn’t understand the reason and source of Christmas.
Recently I’ve heard that Japanese youth today regard Christmas as a season for couples. Perhaps it’s a lead-in to Valentine’s Day, when women give men milk or dark chocolate, and White Day one month later, when men return the gifts with white. Whatever the reason, an American friend was surprised by a young man’s response to her cheery farewell. “Have a merry Christmas,” she’d said. “Oh no,” he replied, “I’m single.”
So here it is three weeks before Christmas. I’m preparing for church activities, of course, and they are many. But I’m thinking it’s time to revamp my schedule so I can be outside the church more this month. Otherwise, culture will continue to define Christmas. And quite frankly, culture—both in Japan and in America—has got it all wrong.
