As we prepare to celebrate Christmas in South Africa, our hearts go out to persecuted children and their families. In many countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith, Christmas is a dangerous time of the year for believers. Their Christmas looks very different from ours that\u2019s if they even celebrate Christmas\u2026<\/p>\n
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Celebrating Christmas<\/strong><\/p>\n Celebrating Christmas for persecuted children and their families looks different depending on which country they live in. In Islamic countries where they\u2019re secret believers, they may organise a secret Christmas celebration under the pretext of having a birthday party. In other Islamic countries like Nigeria where there\u2019s a high likelihood of a terrorist attack, Christians may go to a guarded church to celebrate Christmas. In China, the church may organise a children\u2019s event away from the official church. In India, children and their parents may have to walk many miles to a church in another village where it\u2019s safe enough for them to participate in a Christmas service. In some countries in Asia, the official churches are decorated as much as possible and Christmas trees are put outside or inside the church. There will be carol services and sometimes even re-enactments of the nativity story. Whereas in a country like Colombia, the celebration may be much soberer, e.g. without any decorations. While in places like North Korea, children won\u2019t even know about Christmas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pray with us for persecuted children<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Persecuted children need our help more than ever<\/strong><\/p>\n The persecuted Church finds itself at the heart of a spiritual battle. As Brother Andrew said: \u201cWe are strengthening what Satan tries to destroy.\u201d The next generation is a specific target of the evil one, which makes the spiritual battle for the souls of the young persecuted Church so intense. It\u2019s no surprise that children are deliberately targeted by those who are hostile to the Gospel.<\/p>\n Around the world, Open Doors teams and partners have many programmes that aim to strengthen persecuted families and some that are specifically trying to help children. For example:<\/p>\n\n