Ministry / Thankfulness

Do people in China celebrate Thanksgiving day?

 While I can’t answer this question from direct experience, I have asked several Chinese friends for their perspectives. Despite the fact that Thanksgiving is an American holiday started by Christian Pilgrims, Thanksgiving continues to gain traction among Chinese people. Many schools teach children about the American celebration of the harvest as a way to create a connection between these two very different worlds.

 Blending Culture: Thanksgiving in China

In China, people know the holiday as 感恩节 Gan’en Jie, which translates into thanks for grace holiday. Many think of this as a time to have a Western meal and thank friends, family, workmates, and teachers or bosses. That includes gathering to share time and memories and enjoy good food.

 Many of the activities of Thanksgiving in China are recognizable to Americans but have a distinctive Chinese interpretation. For example, although Thanksgiving isn’t an official holiday where manufacturing and businesses close, it’s common to find:

 Western Traditions

Homes are decorated with pumpkins, corn, candy, plus bowls of fruits and nuts. These decorations remind families of the abundance that they have received throughout the year. One teacher observed, “It was tough to find a turkey, or an oven big enough to make a turkey.” While turkey, pumpkin, and cranberry dishes are only available at international markets, they are common elements of a feast. However, to recognize both cultures, many mothers inject their own personal twist that reflects Chinese culture. For instance, they may sometimes prepare duck instead of turkey, and crab rangoons instead of rolls.

 Education and Appreciation

In the last two decades, there have been special efforts to model gratitude for family. This may have come in reaction to the one-child-only generation who often display boredom toward their parents’ care. Many grandparents are concerned that their offspring will forget their roots and become obsessed with material things. They seek to preserve tradition and family history by sharing stories and reflections over a grand meal. They hope that young people can learn to cherish those who gave them life and helped them grow.

 In preparation for this day, students are instructed to be grateful to their teachers who taught them knowledge and skills. Friends will send each other thank-you notes since they have “互相帮助 (hùxiāng bāngzhù) mutually helped and “互相照顾 (hùxiāng zhàogù) taken care of each other.

 Christian Observances

Thanksgiving in China is especially popular among Chinese Christians. This is widely seen as a time to remember the love and kindness of God. Lutherans add a sincere emphasis on the sacrifice given by God’s only Son to redeem the world from sin.

 Gǎnēnjié kuàilè 感恩节快乐 Happy Thanksgiving! We also give thanks to our gracious Father in heaven for the opportunity to make Chinese friends and call them brothers and sisters in Christ! There is an old saying in China, "A drop received in need, will be repaid with a whole river." For believers that means worshiping God throughout the year and serving each other in love.