While the Danish celebrations are briefly hindered by Corona this year, every Christmas in the persecuted church is a challenge and carries an increased risk. Because when you're not allowed to be a Christian and the government or militant Islamic terrorist groups are targeting Christians and their congregations, the holidays come with an added risk. The anti-Christian intelligence agents in countries like Iran or Turkmenistan are well aware that December 24 is Christmas Eve and are likely to keep an extra close eye on Christians - or those they suspect of being Christian - during the holidays, just as they have seen several attacks on churches during the holidays by Islamic militants in recent years.
It happened to Ladan, Farshid Fathi and the rest of their evangelism team in Iran in 2010. For two years they had been evangelizing and planting churches through the Danish European Mission's partner ELAM. But at Christmas 2010, things went wrong.
"We had been out to another house church to lead it and celebrate the run-up to Christmas with them. We could sense that something was wrong, so we kept extra vigil. It was a beautiful night - there were 50 people in the home and it was so amazing! The next day we returned to prepare for the Christmas celebration in our own church, but we could still sense that something was wrong, that something was going to happen. We ended up - led by the Holy Spirit - canceling the celebration. That night, I went door to door with all our members and told them that we had canceled. A friend of mine had a large stock of New Testaments, but she emptied it that night and passed it around to other believers in the city," says Ladan.
It was lucky, because on Christmas Day, their fears were realized. The secret service showed up at many of the members - including the now empty warehouse. Ladan's friend was arrested, along with 60 other Christians. Some were released after a short time, while others ended up in prison. Ladan herself had been told that the police were looking for her and that she would be arrested. So she sat at home and prepared herself for it.
"When the police came, they couldn't get into our apartment building. I have no idea why, but something kept them out. The next day, the police called and told me they were going to arrest me and that I had to go to the police station. My mom suggested that I run away and that my parents should hide me. We prayed together and I got peace by going to the police station. On the way there, I sang songs of praise in the street, because what could they do to me? I was going to be arrested anyway."
Ladan was put in the maximum security prison Evin and spent 37 days there. Her leader Farshid Fathi ended up spending five years in prison and only after a long struggle was he released.
But even though the intelligence services tried to stop the church, it grew since the arrests - and the church in Iran is still growing, and they celebrate Christmas with all of us in the Danish church on Thursday. For we are one in Christ and a great fellowship across borders.
Remember the persecuted church this Christmas when you're sitting at home in small groups and may not be able to go to church or don't want to take the risk for health reasons. When the persecuted church celebrates Christmas, it's at the risk of intelligence agencies watching and cracking down on them. Pray for their protection and pray that they will enter the new year as free people. Pray that even more people will come to know Jesus and the freedom he gives.
Merry Christmas!
