The manger scene in the picture below may seem a little unusual. (You can click on it for a larger version if you like.) It’s obviously a manger scene — the three men on the right are paying homage to the baby held aloft by the woman in the center. On the left is a shepherd with one of his animals.
But the scene does look unusual. The animal on the left looks more like a long-necked rabbit than a sheep, and the three men on the right are unlike any wise men I had seen before.
The most unusual thing about this manger however, is its location. The picture was taken in December, 1994, on the shopping floor of a hotel in Tianjin, People’s Republic of China.
I spent the academic year 1994 – 95 teaching in Tianjin, and I was frankly quite surprised to see this manger on public display. The hotel catered to Chinese visitiors, not foreigners. I was the only westerner in the place when this picture was taken! At a time when public displays of Christmas symbols is under attack in some places here at home, I find it more than interesting that this public display could be found in communist China over ten years ago.
There were more secular displays of Christmas as well. The picture below was taken in front of a store front restaurant in Tianjin. It looks as if the reindeer have left Santa stranded, but that is definitely Santa in his sleigh.
I find it amazing and comforting that Christmas has spread to even the most likely parts of the globe. I had a wonderful Christmas in 1994, and I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas this year and for many years to come.
Senior Moments 
December 22, 2008 at 11:09 am |
Hi George, Thanks for sharing the photos and story of your time there. It is very interesting to see such a diffrent manger You have really traveled far. Did you learn to speak for this visit or you knew way before how to communicate ?
On the travel channel I saw allot of china and how diffrent areas speech is a bit diffrent. I do allot of traveling on tv. So I guess I am a virtual traveler. LOL
It was 5 degrees this morning here. But the sun is shining now so we have a whopping 20 deg now. Merry Christmas.
December 22, 2008 at 12:13 pm |
Good Morning, It’s nice that you have traveled and photographed different areas and share with us. We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas also.
December 22, 2008 at 1:30 pm |
It does seem odd they are doing great with Christmas, and we are struggling more and more.
December 22, 2008 at 4:45 pm |
George: Those were neat captures. There was a lot of Christian influence in China before Communism.
December 22, 2008 at 4:54 pm |
I remember being surprised at all the Christmas decorations in Japan when I was there many years ago.
December 22, 2008 at 5:53 pm |
That is so interesting that they had that display! And nice too!
December 22, 2008 at 6:35 pm |
I wouldn’t have thought China was so Westernized that many years ago. It’s a little surprising to see the wise men wearing what appear to be sarongs. But still, it’s a very good effort. Great photos.