On December 8, 2024, under the warm winter sun, Shanghai’s Holy Trinity Church hosted the annual Bible Day celebration, organised by the China Christian Council & Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CCC&TSPM). This year’s theme, “Reciting the Bible,” invited Christians across China to deepen their engagement with God’s Word through memorisation, making the event a vibrant blend of faith, cultural expression, and community spirit.
A Journey Through China’s Unique Celebrations
Bible Day in China is celebrated every year on the second Sunday of December, with events aimed at promoting Bible engagement and advancing the Chinese cultural expressions of Christianity. Over the years, themes like “Writing the Bible,” “Reading the Bible,” “Singing the Bible,” and “Living the Bible” have encouraged Christians to creatively engage with God’s Word. This year’s event not only continued this tradition but also focused on raising awareness of Bible needs in remote areas and encouraging support for the CCC&TSPM’s Bible ministry.
Reflecting the rich diversity of Chinese Christianity, this year’s activities captivated attendees at Holy Trinity Church. Participants enjoyed scroll-making workshops, Scripture-themed bookmark crafts, recitation contests, Bible quizzes, and book discussions. Meanwhile, the church courtyard came alive with golden ginkgo leaves swirling gracefully in front of the red-brick church, making it a day to remember.
Launching New Editions of the Bible
One highlight of this year’s Bible Day was the unveiling of three new editions of the Bible:
1. The Chinese Mandarin-Zaiwa Bible
After 11 years of meticulous translation, this bilingual edition supports believers of the Jingpo ethnic group by preserving their language and culture while enhancing their Chinese language proficiency. The first batch of 200 copies of this Bible has already been delivered to the Christians at Zion Church in Yingjiang County, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province.
2. The Chinese Mandarin Pinyin Bible
The fruit of five years of painstaking editing and proofreading, and featuring ultra-thin 19 gsm paper and a unique binding design, this edition helps believers to read God’s Word fluently in standard Chinese language.
3. The 2024 Christmas Edition of the Chinese Mandarin Bible
With its modern, festive design, this edition has special margins which allow one to write notes, thoughts or prayers inspired by the reading of Scriptures. It also makes a perfect gift during the Christmas season.
These new editions of the Bible, showcased during the Bible Day event, “reflect China’s growing contributions to the global Bible ministry, a journey that began with the establishment of Amity Printing Company (APC) – one of the world’s largest Bible printing companies,” said Rev Shan Weixiang, Residential Vice Chairperson of the National TSPM. APC, a joint venture of the United Bible Societies (UBS) and Amity Foundation, was established in 1987 in response to the growing needs for Bibles amongst the millions of China’s Christians after the Cultural Revolution.
Rev Shan Weixiang, Residential Vice Chairperson of the National TSPM (second from left), and special guests unveiled The Chinese Mandarin-Zaiwa Bible, The Chinese Mandarin Pinyin Bible, and The 2024 Christmas Edition of the Chinese Mandarin Bible. “These accomplishments are a testament to God’s blessings upon the Chinese church,” said Rev Shan.
A Time to Learn and Reflect
This year’s Bible Day also featured a talk by Rev Chen Zhihua, Vice President and Associate General Secretary of the Zhejiang Christian Council, and Senior Pastor of Ningbo Holy Church. His talk, entitled “Do You Understand What You Are Reading? – A Hundred Questions About the Bible,” offered insights into interpreting God’s Word through understanding cultural context, word meanings, textual transmission, modern science, and practical obedience. Attendees eagerly asked questions about their personal Bible-reading challenges, and Rev Chen’s thoughtful answers enriched the time of learning.
During the Bible Day event, there were engaging quizzes and Scripture recitation sessions too. A passionate brother-in-Christ brought his hand-copied Bible, and attendees eagerly passed it around, admiring the dedication and love for God’s Word. In one moving moment, a devoted sister-in-Christ recited an entire passage of Scripture from memory, inspiring everyone present to seek deeper engagement with the Bible.
The Spirit of Scripture Recitation Across China
Bible Day celebrations were not confined to Holy Trinity Church in Shanghai. Across the country, churches celebrated Bible Day and embraced the theme of “Reciting the Bible.” Videos of over 600 believers were submitted, showcasing participants of all ages and backgrounds — including pastors, seminary students, and even minority and hearing-impaired believers — reciting the Scriptures in various Chinese dialects and ethnic minority languages.
From Jiangxi’s Yushui Church to Guangdong Union Theological Seminary, believers engaged in recitation contests and Scripture quizzes. These events not only enriched the spiritual life of believers but also inspired a deeper commitment to live out biblical teachings in daily life. In Hubei’s Jingzhou, congregations sang Scripture with heartfelt devotion, while others creatively integrated Bible recitation into their daily spiritual practices.
A Call to Action
The CCC&TSPM hope that Bible Day will inspire believers to read and reflect on God’s Word, live holy lives, and make meaningful contributions to society. The Bible serves as a guide for life, urging believers to live with reverence and sincerity. By anchoring their faith in God’s Word, Chinese Christians are not only putting their beliefs into action but also embracing their cultural heritage.
This year’s focus on “Reciting the Bible” echoes the message of Deuteronomy 11:18 (ESV): “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.” The annual Bible Day event encourages believers to read, love, and internalise the Bible, living out its teachings in their daily lives and contributing to the betterment of society.
Bible Day 2024 was indeed a powerful reminder that the Bible transcends barriers, drawing believers closer to God and to one another. Through God’s Word, hearts are transformed, communities are united, and the light of Christ shines brightly across China.
Photos: CCC&TSPM | UBSCP
@UBS China Partnership
