Dianne Hu, an American professor at Shanghai International Studies University, has been answering a lot of questions from her students about religion over the last week.

"It is quite unusual for so many students to ask me about religion after class. Maybe that's because Christmas is drawing near," said the American professor.

While few of her students understand the religious significance of the holiday, many hold Christmas parties every year, where they eat dumplings, play games and enjoy a little karaoke.

"As young people are fond of pursuing a modern Western lifestyle, Christmas is definitely the first thing they would learn about Western culture," said Yu Hai, a sociologist at Fudan University.

While many have learned about Santa's role in the holiday, few, it seems, understand the connection between Christmas presents and Jesus Christ.

"I never thought of its religious meaning." said Kang Lina, a senior student at Fudan University, who is planning to spend Christmas Eve partying with friends and classmates.

Even local churches won't be preaching the religious message of Christmas to the masses, according to Liu Zhaojing, a local pastor.

He runs the Community Church on Hengshan Road, the largest Christian church in Shanghai.

While about 80 percent of the 6,000 people expected to take part in Christmas Mass at the church this year are under the age of 30, Liu doesn't believe in preaching his religion to non-believers.

Instead, the church has set up lights and festive decorations to attract locals, but "we just let them experience the atmosphere themselves," Liu said.

"I would explain to my students how Christmas is celebrated in the West. And, if they ask, I would also like to tell them what the festival really means to Christians," said Hu.

"But I won't teach religion on my initiative. That's unimportant and inappropriate as well," she said.

(eastday.com December 22, 2003)