While for the majority of Chinese, the popularity of Christmas is more of a secular affair, for those of Christian faith, it's a time for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

And in the Xuanwumen cathedral here in Beijing, a mass was held on Christmas eve to celebrate the occasion. First built in 1605 and rebuilt in 1904, it is the earliest Catholic church in Beijing. At present, masses conducted by more than 10 Chinese priests attract an increasing number of Chinese and foreign worshippers each Sunday, and the church is always crowded during Easter and Christmas.