EXPERIENCE A SECRET CHRISTMAS

Ella* and Lilly* are two Christian young people living in a country where being a Christian is dangerous. That means they have to celebrate Christmas in secret.
“It feels like we’re the only ones celebrating Christmas,” Lilly says.

Outside their home, everything looks normal. But inside, it’s full of decorations, songs, and the smell of biriyani—a special meal. They make their own Christmas trees out of paper and prepare decorations by hand, often on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas night, their small house church gathers quietly.

“Our Christmas service is usually held on the evening of the 25th,” Lilly explains. “It begins with songs from the choir, followed by Bible readings, a message and the distribution of gifts. We end with Christmas cake and dinner, along with a thanksgiving prayer.”

Secretly sharing God’s love

Even though they can’t sing carols in public or hang Bible verses outside, they still find ways to share Jesus’s love

“Our parents told us we cannot tell our friends what happens in our church or that we gather at our home for church,” the girls explain. “We can’t tell others, ‘Jesus loves you,’ and we can’t hang any Bible verses on our door outside.”

But they communicate the life-changing truth of the gospel in different ways. For Lilly, this looks like showing simple kindness to her classmates.

“1 Corinthians 13:4–8 has been a guiding passage for me,” Lilly says. “In this country, we don’t have the opportunity to speak openly about Christ to everyone, but we can always show His love through our actions and behaviour. I remember a time when a student asked me, ‘Why are you being so nice to me, even though I’ve been mean to you?’ I simply replied, ‘That’s what I’ve been taught – to love you. I don’t hate you.’”

Despite their circumstances, their lives are rich with signs of God’s compassionate intervention. Ella testifies, “Since I was young, I have witnessed Christ’s miracles. Our parents always ask us to pray for everything – God has been answering our prayers.”

Their dad, Sundar, was once arrested for attending a prayer meeting. But he says: “Somehow, God still provided for me. I just know His hand was over my life.”

Ella and Lilly’s faith is strong, even though they face danger. “Persecution is when we learn that we must be ready to sacrifice our lives for Christ,” Lilly says.

Christmas should not have to be a time of isolation for children like Ella and Lilly. Their faith is vibrant, but it is fuelled by your essential support which enables them and their fellow believers to meet, encouraged by the knowledge that their brothers and sisters are standing with them.

Will you unwrap hope for Ella and Lilly this Christmas?

*Names changed for security reasons