Post sponsored by OpenDoors

Togetherness is one of the most important ingredients for Christmas. After all, it’s the time we celebrate and remember that God sent his son and said he’d be called Immanuel, God With Us. “With” is the loveliest preposition there is. It’s heaven’s word, and God shouted it through the gift of Jesus Christ: “I want to be with you!” Sin had separated us, but no longer. Through Jesus’s death on the cross and resurrection from the tomb, God parted the overwhelming waters of sin that we might walk through and be delivered.

God designed togetherness—and that’s why our hearts swell when we are near our loved ones decorating a tree, singing hymns in candlelit services, drinking cocoa, or the zillions of other less-picturesque things we do together at the holidays. All of it is a snapshot of the togetherness God extended through his son Jesus and the togetherness we’ll one day experience with him in heaven. “The weary world rejoices!” Praise God for the way gathering with our loved ones hints towards the gift of the cross and the holy gathering ahead.

For many believers, these peeks of heaven are not possible at Christmas: There are not boughs of holly; there is not candlelit singing. For example, did you know:

• …in North Korea, celebrating Christmas is illegal and believers must celebrate the birth of Jesus in extreme secrecy or risk arrest and life in a hard labor camp?

• …for the citizens of Brunei, celebrating Christmas can get you five years in prison and owning a Bible will get you nine?

• …in countries like Somalia, Christmas was banned several years ago? An announcement goes out every year reminding citizens that it’s illegal.

• …in countries like Saudi Arabia, churches, crosses, and Christian meetings of any kind are illegal all over the country?

While we are free to celebrate as lavishly as we wish, to litter our yards with inflatables and holler across the street to invite neighbors to Christmas Eve services, we must not forget our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted for the faith, who must speak in whispers while we are free to shout. Though “Immanuel!” is loud in their hearts and spurs on their service, though they know their gift is in secret, we want to do what we can on earth to remind them of what is already true in heaven: They are not alone. We can offer that most precious preposition—God is WITH you, and we are WITH you, too.

Here's where I'm going with this: This Christmas, will you consider joining OpenDoors as they encourage isolated Christians and let them know they are not alone or forgotten? Though these believers must worship in secret, we can gift them with the God-designed sensation of togetherness by offering our sincere support through prayers and donations. OpenDoors offers these brothers and sisters much-needed practical help and spiritual training.

To watch a powerful video, download a free e-book on the persecuted church (it’s so helpful to be able to step into their stories!), and to donate, click here or the button below. As a gesture of my gratitude for your clicks and consideration, here’s a free printable from me! I hope it’s a reminder to you of how beautiful it is that God wants to be with us and encourages you to extend that same with-ness to your brothers and sisters near and far.

Merry Christmas & with-mas!

Pssst… the printable is size 8.5x11, which is the size of regular computer paper. However, the margins are designed so that it can easily fit in a 8x10 frame. If you place it in your home anywhere, I’d love to see! Just tag me on Instagram (@writercaroline). Enjoy!

Another pssst…Don’t make persecution a seasonal issue! The church is designed to care for the suffering. Through Open Doors you can download a Prayer App, sign up for regular prayer updates and stay connected to the stories and needs of your persecuted family.