It being Christmastime, today, we’re gonna talk about what Christmas is like in Japan and the Hope that Jesus brings to ALL PEOPLE. In Japan, during this time of year, Christmas stuff is everywhere. Further, there are Christmas songs playing everywhere, there are Christmas decorations everywhere, and people are encouraged to buy gifts. Okay? How is that different from how Americans celebrate Christmas? Well, I’m glad you asked…Watch the video below to find out about Christmas in Japan & the Hope of Jesus.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

WHAT IS GOD CALLING YOU TO DO TODAY?

If you could, help me go…

THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS

AND THROUGH YOUR MONTHLY FINANCIAL SUPPORT.

Japanese people have never had the opportunity to hear. THEY NEED TO HEAR…

I KNOW I’ve challenged you before on this, but I challenge you to ask God what He wants you to do today and then do what He says to do. 

Truly, God’s been challenging me in this same area. I personally support missionaries, not from my work budget, but from my personal funds. Maybe God’s calling you to send or be sent. Be listening to what the Holy Spirit might be saying tonight, and then do whatever He says to do.

More info about Christmas in Japan can found at the following links:

Japan Today Article

Tokyo Q&A: How does Japan celebrate Christmas?

WhyChristmas.com

Also, check out the story of how Two Christmas Miracles happened at my Church in Japan.

Thank you so much for exploring  with me Christmas in Japan & the Hope of Jesus. Please let me know if you have any questions. Feel free to send me any questions you may have.

My First Day in Japan

In 2016, I went to a place called Tsukuba, Japan to serve as an Associate Pastor at a local international church TICA, serving in youth ministry, college student (Chi Alpha) ministry, and media ministry.  My first day in Japan in 2016, my Missionary Mentor Chris Carter picked me up from Narita Airport in Chiba, Japan, and we started talking about this viral, famous music video called PPAP (Pen Pineapple Apple Pen). (See the video on Youtube here). 

A Thanksgiving Celebration Feast in Japan?

Then, we started talking about an upcoming church outreach event Pastor Chris called, “a Thanksgiving Celebration Feast.” Wait! A Thanksgiving Appreciation Feast in Japan? How does that make sense? Well, I’m glad you asked. According to people in our church, most Japanese people have never eaten turkey. Further, since TICA is an international church where culture is often celebrated, Pastor Chris thought making a bunch of turkeys would be a great way to connect with the community. Even more, since Tsukuba is a university city, it would be even more of a draw because, when free food is mentioned to college students, ears tend to perk up. 

Next, Pastor Chris and I started joking around about making a parody music video of  “PPAP.” One lyric led to another and then another, and, so, by the time we got to the church, we made up most of the lyrics to what we called “Pan Potato Turkey Pan.” See Video Below.

The Results

After we made the parody music video, we shared the video everywhere all across social media.  Then, our worship Pastor shared it on his social media, and he is a professor at a local university. Next, his students started asking about the Thanksgiving event just so they could see the performer of the parody music video–Pastor Chris!

All in all, at the event, we filled our building with tons of people who do not know Jesus. In fact, we could barely fit everyone in. God used this crazy idea to create an opportunity for us to connect with more Japanese people, and for more Japanese people to hear about the love of Jesus and His Gospel!

Even more, this is a crazy story because, in Japan, the average church only has around 15 regular attendees who are usually fairly elderly. Therefore, for us to have 110 people from all ages come to this event, and hear about Jesus, it was an incredible thing! We are so thankful for this opportunity, and we are constantly praying that God would open up more doors of opportunity such as in this story so that Japanese can hear about Jesus! Will you pray with us?