Cakes, Colonels, Candles and Christ

Where will I be celebrating Christmas next year?

My hope is - in Japan.

So as I think about my future destination

and consider what it will be like I thought I'd share my findings with you.

Cakes, Colonels, Candles and Christ

I experienced the holiday season twice during my short-term experience teaching missionary Kids in Japan (1998-2000). I would say that for most Japanese – Christmas celebration is most similar to Valentine's Day in North America. It is a regular working day with commercial impact.

The commercial preparations can be seen weeks ahead of the Dec. 25. Special advertisements and Christmas carols can be heard in the stores. (I remember hearing Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant in department stores). Although Christmas is not the enormous money spinner that it is in the West, clever marketers have twisted the theme of Christmas using Kurisumasu kehki (Christmas Cake) and Kentucki Furaido Kurisumasu (Kentucky Fried Christmas).

Here is more information I gathered from a few websites I read . . .

"Japanese like their cake fluffy, creamy, and fruity. No heavy, brandy-soaked fruitcake for them; they simply take what they like, plop a Santa on top, and proclaim it festive. Another difference between western fruitcake and Japanese Christmas cake is that fruitcake lasts forever, but Kurisumasu kehki is at its best for only one night. Nobody would buy a Christmas cake after the 25th--hence the phrase "Christmas cake" to describe a woman who remains unmarried by her 25th birthday."

“The fried chicken comes courtesy of Colonel Sanders. Thirty years of intensive marketing have convinced the Japanese that chicken is the traditional Christmas food in North America. This belief is not a measure of Japanese gullibility: most Japanese have never seen or eaten turkey, and cooking and consuming a bird that large--or even having an oven big enough to roast it in--would strike most people here as being excessive and slightly deranged, like making omelettes out of ostrich eggs.”

All the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises in Japan have a life-size fiberglass figure of Colonel Saunders posted outside their doors. In mid-November, the Colonel's customary white suit is swathed in red, transforming him into Colonel Santa. Once the white-trimmed red hat goes on his head, the resemblance is uncanny; just like Santa, only with beady eyes and less beard than one might hope. Then the sales pitch begins in earnest: buckets of chicken featuring the Colonel's Christmas face; boxes of chicken printed with holly designs; giant banners showing a Christmas feast of fried chicken, corn salad, hot Christmas biscuits, and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Christmas cake, with a tiny log cabin and snowman planted in the creamy white topping.”

A new piece of information – I didn’t know when living in Japan is . . .

In Japan the presents are said to be brought by 'Hoteiosho' who is very similar to Santa Claus. Originally 'Hoteiosho' was a priest like St Nicholas. He is described as an old man with a big sack on his back as well. The legend says that 'Hoteiosho' has eyes in the back of his head - so he can keep a special eye on the behavior of children. It is advisable for the children to be good when 'Hoteiosho' is around.


When I was in Japan I typically spent Christmas Eve at a candle light service with my friends at Yurigaoka Baptist Church. I would then spend Christmas Day with my Japanese host family. Unlike in America, where my family typically relaxes at home, eating (every three hours), my Japanese family goes out on Christmas Day.

In 1999, I remember going sightseeing in Tokyo, touring Tokyo Bay, visiting an aquarium and seeing an amazing light display - the Tokyo Millenario. (Millinario- Italian for Millennium) – this electronic tunnel of lights display near Tokyo Station began in 1999 and has seen a different display design each year. Almost 10 million people walked through the Tokyo Millenario in the first 4 years!

Most Japanese naturally have a weak understanding of Christmas's religious roots and customs. I remember once being asked if it's Santa's birthday. Christianity is respected in Japan but hardly known at all, which is not too surprising with less than 1% being Christian. However, many Japanese are interested in American Christmas customs and some Japanese churches use this opportunity to meet new Japanese and introduce them to Christmas, Christ Jesus, and their church. For example, a missionary working with a small congregation (averaging 20 people on a Sunday morning) may have a special candle service, a couple of kids meetings, a Christmas programs, go Christmas caroling, add lots of special Christmas decorations and perhaps give out a gift packs that includes a pamphlet describing the reason for the season. Through this they may draw an extra 50-100 people to church.

One of the most touching experiences for me is to sit in a Christmas service and think of how some of those listening are hearing the Christmas story for the first time in their lives. That's a pretty special experience. In Japan, Christmas is a wonderful missionary opportunity. And that seems appropriate. After all, the first Christmas was about a missionary who came a truly long way to bring the good news.