Sounds of Christmas in Taiwan

NICK EICHER, HOST: Today is Tuesday, December 22nd. You’re listening to WORLD Radio and we’re so glad you are!

Good morning. I’m Nick Eicher.

MARY REICHARD, HOST: And I’m Mary Reichard. Coming next on The World and Everything in It: Christmas around the world. 

Most of our reporters here at WORLD live and work stateside, but we do have a handful spread across the globe. Over the next few days, we’re going to hear from three of them about what Christmas is like where they live. Each vignette will end with a musical selection unique to their country.

EICHER: Today, to Taiwan with WORLD reporter Angela Lu Fulton.

AUDIO: [STREET SOUNDS FROM TAIWAN]

ANGELA LU FULTON, REPORTER. In Taiwan, December twenty-fifth is like any other day of the year. The roads are filled with motor scooters and buses bringing people to work as children in school uniforms head to their classrooms. Christmas is not a national holiday. The majority of Taiwanese believe in a mixture of Buddhism and Taoism. 

Still, shops and department stores play Christmas music and string up lights. 

AUDIO: [SHOPPING DISTRICT]

On a recent Sunday night, crowds gathered at the popular shopping district near the Taipei 101 building to take selfies under a corridor of Christmas lights—some in the shape of boba drinks and soup dumplings. Others took photos in front of a three-story white and gold, tropical-themed Christmas tree.

While Christmas is mainly used as commercial advertising for much of the island, Christians still find ways to celebrate the birth of Jesus—even though they have to work on Christmas Day. Many attend Christmas Eve services in the evening or special Sunday services.

Hsin-Yi Friendship Presbyterian Church has several thousand attendees. At its Christmas Eve service, choirs performed a special program with Christmas hymns. Here they are singing a few verses from two well known Christmas carols: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Joy to the World.”

CAROLS: GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN AND JOY TO THE WORLD

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Angela Lu Fulton in Taipei, Taiwan. Merry Christmas.

(Photo/Angela Lu Fulton)

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