They hate you because of me - There is a number of articles around the web detailing the trials many Christians faced running up to and during this Christmas season.
To start with, Michelle Malkin has an article titled, "War on Christians deserves attention," in The Sun News. In her article she details some of the Christian persecution over the last year.
Malkin begins:
Yes, it's maddening when politically correct bureaucrats ban Nativity scenes and Christmas carols in the name of "diversity" and "tolerance." But the war on Christmas in America is a mere skirmish.
Around the world, a bloody, repressive war on Christians rages on.
In Beijing China, The Weekend Australian reports that police refused to let a group of Christians meet to celebrate the birth of Christ. The police went as far as to stop two Christians leaders from leaving their homes to journey to the place they were planning to hold the celebration.
The Weekend Australian reports:
POLICE in Beijing cancelled a gathering of Christian activists on Christmas Eve, preventing two from leaving their homes and forcing the owner of the venue not to rent the place out, activists have said.
Hua Huiqi, a Christian dissident, said he and others planned to have a party Friday night at a restaurant in Beijing's Sanyuanqiao district to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
“The police did not allow Qi Zhiyong and Zhang Qianjin to leave their homes. They also forced the landlord not to let us use the place, so the activity was canceled,” Hua said.
In Pakistan, WebIndia123.com reports that there was such a fear of attack upon Christian and Christian Christmas services that security and metal detectors were positioned for safety precautions.
WebIndia123.com reports:
The government has deployed police and plainclothed commandos around these installations to foil possible attacks during Christmas, officials were quoted as saying by a foreign news agency.
Police have reportedly stepped up patrols and have been ordered to set up metal detectors at all entry and exit points in Islamabad.
Screening machines have also been installed at the entrances of churches in different areas, a police spokesman was quoted as saying.
Special security arrangements have been made in central Punjab while hundreds of policemen have been deployed in Lahore to avoid any untoward incidents on Christmas, reports the Daily Times.
In Karachi, strict security measures have been taken to prevent any attacks on Christian and other minority community targets.
Police said bomb disposal squads conducted extensive searches of all places of worship.
Security has also been tightened around foreign missions, luxury hotels, fast food chains and recreational places.
In wishing us all a Merry Christmas, Uncle Sam's Cabin informs us of a missionary held in prison this Christmas season under false charges. Sam writes:
Several months ago Don Filiberto was accused of committing a crime against an indigenous family that his family was helping out as a part of their ministry. Don Filiberto has remained in jail even though it quickly became apparent that Don Filiberto was innocent and his accuser was more likely responsible for committing the crime. Because the legal system presumes guilt until innocence is proven Don Filiberto has been stuck in jail these many months. It doesn't help any that the legal system is quite corrupt.
Since Don Filiberto has been imprisoned a thriving ministry has been established in the prison. Please pray for Don Filiberto and the prison ministry that has grown up around him. All things do indeed work together for good for those who love the lord.
Sam has a note from a co-missionary with Don encouraging us to pray for Don and his family during this Christmas season.
Finally, The Province is running an article by Jonathan Woodward about the first Christmas for a Pakistani family on Canadian soil after fleeing persecution for their faith in Christ.
Woodward details the persecution that the family fled and the help they've received this Christmas season.
Eleven months later, the family was sponsored by the Inter-Church Refugee Project in Langley. Within three days of getting government clearance to leave, the Binyamins arrived in Vancouver.
Everything in their Langley apartment was donated by church families, from the table to the bathroom towels to the brightly decorated Christmas tree in the living room.
The family has also received $200 in gift certificates from the Langley Christmas Bureau, which is supported by The Province's Empty Stocking Fund.
A new year is dawning. Many of us won't face the persecution that families such as those above faced and continue to face on a daily basis, but that does not excuse us from dealing with it. In fact, because we don't face it we are given a great responsibility. Let's not grow weary in holding up before the thrown of the Most High our brothers and sisters in Christ and those that would do them harm.
The Great Separation continues.
