You might be interested to know how we celebrate Christmas in Japan, where only 1% of the population is Christian. Christmas has been an accepted social custom here in Japan, with the streets of the big cities illuminated and people shopping from late November.
For adults, the meaning of Christmas may be solely commercial, with fancy dinners and special gifts. For children, Santa Claus, Christmas gifts and cake are the main attractions. Interestingly, even temple kindergartens hold “Christmas events.” Christmas is a non-religious event in Japan in general.
But there are also many people who make donations to various organizations during this season, and it is a season that reminds us more deeply that there are people who are facing difficulties even in this joyous time. Even before the custom of Christmas became common in Japan, a movement called “Year-end Helping Each Other” was taking place in every town. Since New Year’s Day (January 1) is the most important day of the year, non-Christian homes, commercial and public facilities take down their Christmas decorations as early as the afternoon of December 25 and as late as December 26 and decorate for the New Year. Shops and general stores sell New Year’s decorations along with Christmas items.
In this environment, what we are doing is a soft missionary outreach to non-Christian students, their families, and the faculty and staff, centered on the Christmas Pageant, which is a tradition at St. Joseph Joshi Gakuen (link in Japanese). We also have a Japanese-style statue of the Virgin and Child at the entrance of the convent to welcome our guests.
We hope to be able to bring the Good News that God is with us in the flesh to those who celebrate Christmas without Christ this year.