Christianity is relatively new to Asia, but today about 30% of the South Korean population is Christian. Therefore, Christmas; Song Tan Jol (성탄 절) is celebrated by Christian Korean families and is also a public holiday. Although religion does of course play a part, in South Korea, Christmas is a holiday enjoyed by everyone.
South Korea is the only East Asian country to recognize Christmas as a national holiday. Schools, businesses, and government offices are closed on Christmas Day. Stores remain open, and the Christmas holiday does not usually anchor an extended winter break, as it often does in other countries and cultures.
Christmas is banned in North Korea, and so those living in North Korea cannot decorate or attend services for the holiday.
Christmas normally falls in winter. Temperatures take a nose-dive, transforming much of the country into a winter wonderland, and there are festivals and events going on up and down the country.
General Religious Traditions
South Korean Christians celebrate Christmas similarly to the way the holiday is celebrated in the West. However, there is less emphasis on presents and decorations and more emphasis on the religious traditions underlying the holiday. In Korea, Christmas is primarily a religious holiday and less an excuse for shopping and sales prices.
In South Korea during Christmas, some families do put up Christmas trees. People exchange presents, and stores do put up holiday decorations. However, the festivities start much closer to Christmas Day, as opposed to in early November, as is common in the United States.
Christmas lights and decorations are common in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, and major stores put up large light displays.
Families may attend mass or a church service on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day (or both), and carolling parties are popular for young Christians on Christmas Eve. Even non-Christians may attend a service on Christmas Day.
Santa Haraboji (Grandpa Santa)
Father Christmas, Santa Claus, Babbo Natale, Weihnachtsmann – the seasonal gift-giver goes by many names, and in South Korea it’s no different. Here, he's known as 산타 할아버지 (Santa Haraboji ; which translates to ‘Grandpa Santa’) and he will be seen in a green or blue suit as often as he’s seen in red. He also generally wears a traditional Korean gat (a wide-brimmed top hat) instead of the red number you might be used to seeing him in. He’s still recognisable as Father Christmas though. Kids know him as a happy grandfather figure who gives out presents and department stores employ santas to greet shoppers and hand out chocolate and candies.
Gift-giving
Although gift-giving is an established part of a traditional Korean Christmas, it’s much less of a focus than it might be in other places. Giving money is much more common in Korea than in European countries, and gifts only tend to be given to select close family and friends.
People in Korea usually exchange presents on Christmas Eve, and instead of piles of presents, one present (or a gift of money) is customary.
Outdoor adventures
Skiing is one of the activities enjoyed during the Christmas holiday. With mountains covering nearly three quarters of the country and copious amounts of snow in winter, South Korea is an ideal ski destination. There are a host of high-quality ski resorts.
No romantic version of Christmas is complete without getting your skates on and hitting the ice. Ice skating is a very popular winter pastime in South Korea, so you are spoilt for choice when it comes to outdoor rinks. The most well-known is the Seoul Plaza, but there are plenty of others around the country. No matter where you happen to be, you are likely to find an ice rink near you.
Seoul City Hall Square
There are also light festivals in various parts of the country. The spectacular light displays are sure to wow even the most cynical visitor and are designed with romance in mind. You’ll be treated to a pink wish tunnel, sparkling hearts and an illuminated-up Santa Villages. There are lights as far as the eye can see and no part of the grounds is left untouched. The result is so fantastical that you’ll wonder if you’ve walked right into a fairy-tale.
In a Christmas spirit, in most places there are shows of high Christmas trees with amazing concerts.
Eating is important
Of course, one big difference between celebrating elsewhere and spending Christmas in South Korea is the food. In Europe and other parts of the world, you might expect a fruit cake to be served on Christmas Day, but in South Korea, you will probably be tucking into a delicious sponge cake with cream, an ice-cream cake, or a steamed rice cake with fruit. The dinner will be traditional Korean fare, such as noodles, beef bulgogi, and kimchi among others. However, most families eat together in restaurants and not their homes.
Christmas Santa Kimpap advertising banner
Traditional fried Kimchi
Catholic tradition
Unlike other Christians, Catholics in a special way celebrate Songtan as an intense moment that recalls the mystery of our salvation. It signifies the birth of the saviour who is coming (in flesh) to meet people in the world. Prior and profound preparations are done for the better celebration of Christmas.
In parishes and even families, the nativity scene is created. This is done by setting up a Christmas crib. There are all types of creative ideas to represent the Bethlehem nativity scenery. Models and figurines of baby Jesus, Virgin Mary, Joseph, shepherds, magi, angels, and animals can be carved, paper-made or even pre-made. Christmas trees are also elevated in parishes as well as family homes. Other Christmas related decorations are also done making the churches and homes enjoy the Christmas environment.
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Nativity Crib at the Consolata Missionaries' Yeokkok Community
Another element that is highly related to the unique Christmas atmosphere is the candle and light decorations. They bring some light at the darkest period of the year and symbolize the light of Jesus that is shed to the darkness of sin and death.
Christmas carols are also enjoyed as the hymns convey a Christmas theme. In some other parishes, just before the Christmas Eve, concerts are held. These add some joy and devoutness to the Christmas atmosphere. Parish choirs also prepare well the liturgical Christmas hymns, making the liturgical celebrations colourful. On top of that, the liturgy is well prepared by various groups. The mass servers, lectors, ushers, those who prepare the altars; together with a priest do intense prior preparation for the liturgical celebrations.
The heart of the celebration of Jesus Birthday is on the four Masses that take place during Christmas. The Christmas Eve or the midnight (mass of the angels) masses are more frequented. Many Christians participate in these masses. The rite is strictly observed as the Christians observe a deeper spiritual mood of Christmas. It is very important to note one thing that is peculiar here in South Korea. We have talked about the exchange of gifts during Christmas, but there is also a special offertory during the adoration of the child Jesus. This offering is called 구유 예물 (kuyu yemul), literally the crib offering. This is meant to help the needy in society as well as charity groups and organizations. It is also channelled to parish projects. The Christians are extremely generous in giving this special offering. Christians also participate well in the Dawn Mass (the “Mass of the Shepherds”), and Christmas Day Mass (the “Mass of the Divine Word”).
Crib offer (on the left)
Unfortunately….
It is very sad that this year 2020’s Christmas could not be celebrated well as described above. This is given to what we all know; the Covid-19 pandemic that poses a big threat to the Christmas festivities. New restrictions have come into force across South Korea, as the country tries to control the pandemic during the holiday period (24th December 2020 to 3rd January 2021). Beginning Christmas Eve, South Koreans cannot eat out in groups larger than four. Skiing and skating venues remain be closed.
Popular tourist destinations such as the Jeongdongjin beach on the eastern coast and Namsan Park in central Seoul, typically swarmed on New Year's Day with people hoping to catch the first sunrise of the year, are shut down. The government gradually raised the virus alert level, triggering stricter social-distancing measures, including limiting the number of people who can attend sporting events or group gatherings including religious activities.
Sacred family star and angel lights at the Consolata Missionaries Daejon community
As for religious gatherings, only and up to 20 people are allowed to participate. They also need to observe strictly the social distancing and hygiene measures. During the religious celebrations, for example during our Eucharistic celebrations, all are required to wear masks. Singing during mass cannot be done as the celebrations should also take the shortest time possible. Most parish priests added more masses and other Christians followed mass connected online through internet streaming or TVs. Another new aspect introduced is the drive thru communion. This is for those who participate in online mass. After the online mass, they drive to the parish where the parish priest offers them the Eucharist while in their cars as they drive back home.
To crack some joke, here in South Korea this is what we are saying. Santa Haraboji or the so-called Father Christmas was supposed to arrive on 25th to offer each one a Christmas gift. But this time round he will not make it. Why? Given that he comes from abroad, on arrival in South Korea he has to be in quarantine for two weeks. This is in order to meet to the demands of the Covid-19 health protocols. Therefore, he will only be able to fulfil his mission as from 9th of January, 2021…an interesting joke though.
Even the jobless reindeers went for a walk in the park...
Christmas in silence
Covid-19 made us to celebrate Christmas in silence. Perhaps in this time of calculated distances, of reduced relationships, working from home rather than in presence, we have experienced more silence. Not having sought for it, we could also do without it anyway. Yet it could be a great asset. What can we understand about ourselves and the world if we looked at life starting from silence as a value that qualifies our life? We could understand the desires that matter most hence knowing how to choose in a more conscious and balanced way.
Christmas tree at the Consolata Missionaries Tongducheon Community.
"The encounter with silence is the threshold of access to a reinterpretation of our identity, of freedom, of the encounter with others, of the journey with knowledge. But anyone who has really encountered silence has been able to learn that it is never only a threshold, a space or a particular dimension of human experience, but it is an event, revelation, invisible proximity to the other. Therefore, what really matters is recognizing silence." (R. Mancini, "Encountering silence", in ' Eleven ', December 2020).
Thus, one poet sings: "Not in silence God speaks / but in the silence of silence, when / the soul does not flap its wings but glides / abandoned in its unspeakable space - Collects every light in His shadow / continuously waits until one step / comes from the emptiness of the obvious. And pray without more words: pray / breathing only, like the flower, / without seeing it, the sun. Offer the restlessness / need to be loved by loving / to the burning darkness of His Love." (Renzo Barsacchi, Silence of silence).
This Christmas is a time of grace upon us, that we may experience God who comes in silence, humbly offering Him "the restless need to be loved while loving".
여러분 성탄 축하합니다! (Yorobun songtan chukhahamnida - Merry Christmas to all of you!)
