This is a time of year when Americans are free to celebrate the Christmas season and when Christians gather together to worship Christ, the Newborn King.
For many of us, the faith challenges we run into include whether or not a nativity scene or cross can be displayed on public property. Then there’s this: Is it acceptable to wish someone a “Merry Christmas” instead of the more generic “happy holidays”? And is the holiday cup at Starbucks “Christmasy” enough — or should these cups be boycotted this season?
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These signs of cultural warfare should not be made light of or ignored, certainly. But in other countries, less fortunate Christians are literally fearing for and even losing their lives to violence and persecution.
Islamic extremists have attacked Christians so many times it’s hard to recall them all. Most recently, on Dec. 11, 2016, a bomb was thrown into a small chapel at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo toward the end of Sunday Mass. This is Egypt’s main Coptic Church. Some two dozen people were killed and 35 more were injured.
Despite the carnage in the Middle East, the torture and the slaughter — there is little being done to protect or provide sanctuary for Christians.
In February 2016, members of the European Parliament recognized that the slaughter of religious minority groups including Christians and Yazidis by ISIS was, in fact, genocide. And yet Middle East bishops from these regions who have suffered persecution at the hands of ISIS were denied visas by U.K. officials last week.
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It is well-known and acknowledged by even John Kerry, the current secretary of state, that ISIS is committing mass murder against Christians. Yet according to a Fox News report in September 2016 by Adam Shaw, 10,801 Syrian refugees were accepted into the United States in fiscal year 2016. However, only 56 of those people are Christians. That’s only 0.5 percent. It is estimated that 10 percent of the Syrian population is Christian — and between 500,000 and 1 million Christians have fled the country.
Yet when it comes to showing priority for Christian refugees versus those of the Muslim faith, President Obama said, “That’s not American. That’s not who we are. We don’t have religious tests to our compassion.”
Still, there is a need for compassion with common sense. There should be a call and conviction to help those who are the most vulnerable. There should be an obligation to defend those in greatest need.
Jesus clearly warns and encourages His disciples and all Christians in John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
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There is no exception — in this world there will be trouble. There will be resistance to Christianity. There will be persecution of those who follow Jesus. There may even be a time when one’s life is taken for his or her faith. Yet there is also the eternal assurance of Jesus’ lordship and victory over the world. Life everlasting is worth the price.
It is the most wonderful time of the year. It is appropriate to celebrate and it is important to worship. But it is also imperative to remember the blessing that America has received with freedom and the responsibility that comes with that blessing. When nothing else can be done and governments deny safety to those in need, Christians can be assured that Christ is King. He was born in the manger — but He rules as Lord of all the earth.
Prayers for the safety and security of fellow Christians are heard by the Lamb of God. He is the true deliverer and savior.
Katie Nations, married for 15 years, is a working mother of three young children. She lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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