Dear Friend of the Persecuted Church—

            Christmas always reminds me of 1 Corinthians 1:18: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”  While the world around us looks to glitz and glitter for their celebration, we look back 2,000 years to a stable for ours.

            I’m sure you’ve gotten the questions.  “You celebrate what?”  “Born where?”  It may be clichéd, but it really is strange that we should so greatly rejoice in the birth of a little boy surrounded by farm animals.  The world may scoff, but we have felt the power of God.

            To that same world, it is foolishness to stand for Christ in the face of persecution.  Why not give up Christ and live?  Why not abandon this faith and thus experience the ease of life?  Because this “foolishness” is the power of God.  It is the power of God that overcomes any threat, any suffering, any pain—even death!  “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”  (1 Corinthians 1:24)

            And think how strange it must appear to the world for these persecuted Christians to celebrate peace on earth, goodwill towards men.  They are hated by their own, singled out for specific suffering, living under threat of violence.  But the peace they know is eternal, a peace between God and man, the limitless void between sin and holiness bridged by a bloodstained cross.

            So as strange as it might be for us to celebrate a baby laid in a manger, let us rejoice with all of our might, for that child is the power of God for our salvation.  And let us stand firm in that power of God, not just during the Christmas season, but through each day of the year.

            And let us pray the peace of Christ on our brothers and sisters across the world.  May they know its eternal joy.

            Merry Christmas!

Yours for the Body of Christ,

Gabriel J. Waddell
Executive Director

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