They just celebrated Xmas not *Christ*mas.

Looks like what I saw in Tianjin outside Xikai cathedral before midnight mass on Christmas Eve, only it looks like there were more people out in Tianjin. Seemed more like a Valentines/Halloween/state fair/carnival/mass shopping spree than anything recognizably 'Christmasy.'

Pictures and description here: Christmas Eve with Chinese characteristics

Thanks for the link, Joel.

Why was this video put here?

I think my favorite is around the 2 minute mark where people are walking around with what looks like lighted devil horns on their head...just reinforces the notion that Christmas is a very misunderstood western holiday here in China.

wtf, Alice?

this shit is way too CNN.

We were walking up N from Xidan on Xmas day when we went past a small church there, they were having a celebration inside and outside in the parking lot they has setup a retransmission of a (or their?) mass on a video screen.
Very nice, and well attended.
But why did they need to have a small platoon of NLA guards (who looked quite confused and amused at this yangguizi being there) and assorted 'security' people? what is wrong with having Mass on Xmas day? And why was the Mass apparently 'invitation only'?

Christmas Mass is often "invitation only" because of the large crowds. I know that the Xishiku church limits attendance to midnight mass by having ticketed entry (althogh the building is open to curious onlookers in the afternoon), and it's still been packed beyond belief the few times I've scored a ticket. Christmas morning isn't limited at that church, but I can see how it might be necessary for churches in higher-visibility areas (I'm guessing it was Gangwashi that you passed?)