The queues snaking around elaborately-festooned department stores, packed restaurants and endless loops of cheery music could only mean one thing: Christmas had come to Beijing.

 

No one could escape the arrival of what has arguably become one of the most popular Western imports. And while the holiday means something different to everyone, from the most pious church-goer to the keenest rationalist and all points in between, there is no doubting how tightly Christmas has taken hold of people's imaginations around the world. Love it or not, it seems like Christmas is here to stay.

 

For some of the religious, Christmas Eve festivities began in Beijing yesterday with a morning service at the main auditorium of the 21st Century Hotel, where about 200 expatriates gathered to sing carols and pray together.

 

"Christmas Eve is my favorite time of year," said Stephannie Tebow, coordinator for the Beijing International Christian Fellowship. "It is not so much a festival, but a celebration of hope."

 

"(The ceremony) was moving and emotional," said Tebow, an Illinois native who teaches performing arts at an international school in Beijing. "People go to church like a family."

 

Tebow played piano and sang a duet of O Holy Night during the service, which ran from 9:30 AM to 11 AM.

 

"It was a special time for us to think about hope and the gifts that God gives us. And how I give back to the world and others," Tebow said.

 

Of course, the secular images associated with the holiday are also in evidence. For young Chinese, these are perhaps the most exciting part of the holiday season.

 

"The Christmas atmosphere is everywhere," said Zhou Zifu, a college student. "Young people are excited about it."

 

"My roommates decorated our dormitory with various Santas, red socks and gold-colored bells. The school also put an artificial tree in the hall of our dorm building."

 

He added that the traditional festivities associated with the Spring Festival seemed simple compared with the elaborate effort that goes into celebrating Christmas.

 

"During Spring Festival, we eat and do the same things every year. Firecrackers are not even allowed in many cities, but Christmas offers something new."

 

When it comes to leisure activities and entertainment, few people are willing to split hairs about whether the practice is from the East or West.

 

Either way, Christmas spirit seems to be doing wonders for local businesses.

 

At a cinema on the North Third Ring Road, ticket prices were almost double, and most shows were nearly sold out by the afternoon.

 

It took 20 minutes and double the normal price of a ticket for Song Bin to get a seat for Curse of the Golden Flower.

 

"I was almost crushed by the crowd," said Song, 26, who had bought the tickets 4 hours earlier. "If I had come a half hour later, there would have been no tickets left."

 

"It was crowded because today is a festival day and also a weekend," said Kang Yue, 25, an accountant, who had also bought tickets hours earlier to watch films with her brother and friends.

 

"To me, Christmas doesn't mean religion or Western culture. It is an opportunity to relax and meet friends," said Kang.

 

"It is true that more and more Chinese people admire Western culture. But for me nothing tops the Spring Festival. It is a time for us to meet with our families."

 

Shanghai, one of the first Chinese cities to embrace Western culture, has a long history of celebrating Christmas.

 

"It seems like some of the old fashions are coming back," said Camille Lok, a Canadian Chinese and a retired English-language editor.

 

Lok, in his 80s, graduated from St John's University in Shanghai and emigrated to Canada in the late 1980s. He returned to Shanghai in 1996 and has stayed in the city ever since.

 

"In my university days, we also had Christmas parties at my home or in my classmates' homes, just like young people are doing now," he said.

 

Lok said he had invited some colleagues to his home for afternoon tea and a Christmas dinner.

 

"I will play Bing Crosby's CD of 'White Christmas' and some other golden oldies, and I will ask people to dance, whether they are young or old, " he added.

 

Li Huan, a music critic, said he was planning to throw a party at his apartment. "I will be playing the Glen Miller Orchestra's Christmas Collections for my six guests, but dancing is not a must. I know some of us don't know how to," he said.

 

To have more of a festive atmosphere, Li said he and his girlfriend had picked up some ornaments from the supermarket to decorate their flat.

 

Ming Chung, a graphic designer from Singapore, said he preferred to throw a party at home than to go to a gathering at some hotel.

 

"My friend invited me to a party at his home. He even ordered a turkey. It is more interesting," said Ming, who has been working in Shanghai for three years. This year marks his second Christmas in Shanghai.

 

Some chic young women are planning to celebrate the holiday by eating out a restaurant.

 

"I ordered dinner in at fine restaurant Club Shanghai and invited several friends. I don't like to cook and wash dishes. The restaurant offers wonderful music as well," said Zhou Rong, an office administrator.

 

Thanks to customers like Zhou, the restaurant saw its business triple yesterday, said Bao Han, the marketing manager of Club Shanghai.

 

Shanghai Community Church, a large Christian cathedral on Hengshan Road, last night attracted thousands of visitors most of them local Chinese.

 

Hundreds had to stand on the pavement outside the building as the church, which can accommodate about 2,000 worshippers, was full.

 

"There is no room for so many people," said Bill Oberg, 58, who has been working in Shanghai for more than one year. It's the first time the American attended the event in a Chinese church.

 

He said he was impressed to see so many Chinese worshippers and "it's good for them to come."

 

Some visitors traveled hundreds of kilometers from neighboring provinces to witness the holy event.

 

(China Daily December 25, 2006)