Thought your Christmas was rough? It was likely far easier than what believers experienced in Iraq. According to Archbishop Sako, “We will not celebrate this year. We will only pray to God asking for peace to prevail in our country.”

I often mention issues involving religious freedom here, and for good reason. In many nations, simply calling Jesus “God” is enough for arrest, imprisonment, or even death. While many of us enjoyed gifts, time with family, and maybe a Christmas Eve service, others could only celebrate Christ’s birth in whispers within their own homes.

If you didn’t get your favorite present or encountered other difficulties over the holidays, please remember, at least you could celebrate the Reason for the season. Please continue to pray for Christians in Iraq and other places where religious persecution continues to exist.

For more on this issue, see Persecution.com or OpenDoors.org.