When Ancient China Meets Christmas: A Story Bigger Than We Ever Imagined
What does ancient Chinese history have to do with God, the Bible, Christmas—and you and me today?
At first glance, probably nothing at all. When many of us think of China, we picture the modern nation: communist, secular, and far removed from the biblical world. But beneath the surface of thousands of years of history lies a story so surprising, so interconnected, that it expands our understanding of God’s work in the world—and fills Christmas with even deeper meaning.
Recently, I came across research that absolutely blew my mind, drawn from the book Shaanxi, the Cradle of Chinese Civilization by Paul Hadaway. What it reveals is not just fascinating history, but a reminder that God has always been at work far beyond the borders we imagine.
China, Babel, and the Dawn of History
The earliest recorded Chinese history dates back to around 2698 BC, during the reign of Emperor Huang Di. According to historical tradition, he ruled from 2698 to 2598 BC—placing him in the same era as Abraham in the Bible.
That timing matters.
According to Genesis 11, shortly before Abraham’s time, humanity experienced the dramatic event of the Tower of Babel. People once shared a single language and lived together, but instead of spreading across the earth as God instructed, they tried to make a name for themselves. In response, God confused their language, scattering them into different people groups across the world.
Within decades of that moment, we begin to see the emergence of distinct civilizations—including ancient China.
The Heavenly Emperor: Shangdi
What’s astonishing is who the earliest Chinese people worshipped.
From the very beginning, Chinese rulers offered sacrifices to the “Heavenly Emperor,” known as Shangdi. Even more remarkable: Shangdi is the very name still used for God in modern Chinese Bibles today.
Ancient Chinese records describe Shangdi as:
The creator of the universe
All-knowing and all-powerful
Unable to be represented by any image
The one who governs the affairs of humanity
Does that sound familiar?
Ancient songs preserved in Chinese history echo the opening chapters of Genesis. One hymn, often called The Song of Central Peace, describes a formless darkness, the separation of heaven and earth, and the creation of humanity—language strikingly similar to Genesis 1 and 2.
Another ancient song praises the sovereign Lord who formed the heavens, brought light into the world, and declared all things good.
For centuries, Chinese emperors offered annual sacrifices to Shangdi, acknowledging His sovereignty and asking for blessing. In 1999, archaeologists even uncovered a massive circular altar—26 feet high—believed to be the very place where these offerings were made.
Echoes of Noah’s Flood
Ancient Chinese culture also preserved accounts of a catastrophic worldwide flood, described as overwhelming, endless waters destroying everything in their path.
Even the Chinese symbol for “boat” is intriguing: it combines the ideas of a vessel, the number eight, and people—remarkably consistent with the biblical account of Noah and the eight who were saved in the ark.
For generations, Chinese civilization reflected a deep awareness of the Creator—until a turning point around 1100 BC, when an emperor led the nation toward idolatry. Over time, that spiritual drift culminated in the China we recognize today.
Yet the echoes of God’s story never fully disappeared.
Did China Play a Role in the Christmas Story?
This is where Christmas comes in—and where the wonder truly deepens.
In Matthew 2, we read of “wise men” from the East who followed a star to find the newborn Jesus. These Magi were astrologers—men who studied the heavens, seeking divine revelation. Scripture makes it clear they had a real relationship with God, as He warned them in a dream not to return to King Herod.
But how far east did they come from?
Ancient Chinese records speak of a high-ranking imperial astronomer named Liu Zhang, living around the time of Jesus’ birth. Along with his team, he observed a unique celestial phenomenon they called the King Star. Shortly afterward, Liu Zhang mysteriously disappeared from official records—for more than two years.
Here’s the astonishing part: the journey from Shaanxi, China, along the Silk Road to Judea would have taken roughly one to two years. As a senior official, Liu Zhang would have traveled with camels, soldiers, and supplies—a large, unmistakable procession.
Suddenly, Matthew’s words make even more sense: “All Jerusalem was disturbed, and King Herod with it.” Imagine such a caravan arriving from the far edge of the known world.
Could ancient China have sent one of the Magi to worship Jesus?
Signs in the Heavens—and in History
The story doesn’t stop there.
Chinese astronomers recorded a rare comet that appeared for 70 days about 13 months after the King Star—timing that may align with the events surrounding Jesus’ early life.
Even more astonishing, 33 years later, Chinese historical records describe a period of total darkness caused by an eclipse. The Gospels tell us that when Jesus was crucified at age 33, darkness fell over the land for three hours.
Across continents. Across cultures. Across languages.
The heavens bore witness.
Christmas: A Global Story of Hope
When we pause to reflect on all this, one truth becomes overwhelming: our God is immeasurably bigger than we often imagine. He holds the entire universe in His hands. He writes His story across nations, centuries, and stars in the sky.
At Christmas, we celebrate that God sent His Son into the world—not just for one people group, not just for one nation, but for all humanity. From Bethlehem to Beijing, from ancient emperors to modern hearts, the message of Jesus has been shaping history for over 2,000 years.
In the midst of the busyness of this season—the shopping, the travel, the family pressures, the packed schedules—may this remind you what Christmas is truly about.
It’s about Jesus.
The King of kings.
The One who changed everything.
And the hope He brought into the world all those years ago is just as powerful, just as necessary, and just as life-changing today.
May this Christmas fill you with awe, wonder, and renewed hope.