Lifepath Church supports several missionaries in places where Christianity is severely persecuted. Here is a portion of a Christmas update from one of them. It makes you realize how dangerous the message of Jesus is perceived to be by many nations.
Did Christians and Churches in the Middle East Celebrate Christmas publicly?
North Africa: 26 churches have been forced to shut down in North Africa, though more then half have reopened, allowing churches to celebrate a quiet, public Christmas.
Egypt: more than 8 churches have been rioted, vandalized, and many forced to close. In spite of these tragedies churches across the country celebrated a vibrant Christmas January 6th , Eastern Orthodox calendar (i.e. the 12th day of Christmas)
The Turkish area: an Anglican church was forced to move locations, but they were open in time of Christmas.
Turkey: despite legislative amendments to harmonize with European Union law there has still been strong discrimination against all minority communities, but disproportionately toward the Protestant church. No churches have been able to legally register as a place of worship, and a 1600 year old Monastery is under threat of losing its property and being razed. So the Armenian, Greek and Catholic Churches had a public Christmas, but the Protestant churches had to be more careful.
Iran: Public Christmas was illegal for all Christians. Including legally recognized churches (historical church communities), but especially for converts from Islam. Until today tens of Christians are being arrested for choosing to gather for Christmas.
Palestine: Prior to the problems in Gaza only a handful of Christians were given permission to travel to churches in Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas, because of the current situation Christians in Palestine and Jordan chose only to observe silent services.
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