When I was here in Beijing over Christmas, the city did not lack for Christmas decorations-- trees, cardboard Santa cutouts, lights-- but there didn't seem to be a celebration because no one understood what to celebrate for Christmas. People here don't know the Christmas story of Jesus and the manger and I don't think people have any idea who "Santa" is supposed to be. Santa Claus loses his meaning in translation with his Chinese name meaning basically Christmas Old Guy (圣诞老人, sheng dan lao ren). But I'm not kidding when I say most stores here have a picture of Santa taped on their front doors even today. My office building lobby still has a giant Christmas tree and Santa pictures on every floor. When will Santa leave China?
I don't think people know that Santa already came bringing gifts and left. He's back in the North Pole by now. These are a few pictures I took this morning of Santas on doors right outside my apartment (grocery store, dry cleaners, internet bar, another store) Notice how all the Santas look the same-- like everyone in the city ordered from the same catalog.
