Written by: Open Doors
Article source: www.opendoors.org.za
Christmas is one of the most important traditions of the Christian faith. That’s when a baby was born, and everything changed. That baby named Jesus Christ was born in a manger, so simple, so humble, not like the king who was expected. But this King is different: He has given us a new opportunity to live.
His birthday has been celebrated for more than 2000 years by Christians and non-believers. And many details have been included in this tradition over time: trees decorated with stars, balls, lights, gifts underneath, a big meal, and even a good old man, Santa Claus.
But that’s not the reality for many children in Colombia. In Colombia, especially in indigenous tribes, where customs and traditions are old, it’s wise to not go against local traditions. In these communities, it’s considered wrong to be a Christian and they will suffer because of it. There, Christians celebrate Christmas by focusing on another ‘tradition’ – the simple yet essential tradition of the family.
Timoteo & Esdras
Timoteo and Esdras grew up in an indigenous tribe, with a lot of ancient rituals and customs. Being a Christian there can cost you your life, as it did for their grandfather. And, when the guerrillas arrived, it got worse.
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Esdras (in focus)
“When I came home from school, there were guerrillas on the road. You saw that they had a good life because they had a lot of money. At first, they offered things for you to have a better life. But then, they start to grab people by force”, said Timoteo.
Their father, a pastor, worried that his children would be recruited so he sent them to the Children’s Center, a school and home for persecuted children in Colombia, run by Open Doors.
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Timoteo
Now, they have a place where they are safe and where they’ve replaced their tribal rituals with the joy that Jesus Christ brought to their life. And Christmas is a time to celebrate that.
“For me, Christmas means that Jesus came to earth. It’s about sharing with family, expressing love and being together. In the church, we have a vigil, when we pray. We don’t decorate our house because we don’t have money,” said Timoteo.
Anny
A few years ago, Anny (13), who was only 10 at the time, and her family were victims of religious persecution in the indigenous tribe where they live. The leader of the tribe forced the children to participate in rituals that went against the family’s faith in Jesus.
Resisting this, Anny was sent to the Children Center, where she has been ever since, because she was unable to return to visit her family.
“My life was not easy, I went through difficult situations and thought that the only solution for me was to cease to exist.”
She remembers that, despite suffering a lot of persecution because of religion, the Christmas season was still celebrated.
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Anny continues, “I remember that it has always been a time to gather as a family and share. And that’s what Christmas means to me: sharing with family.”
Abnober
Talking to Abnober, who is now 22, it is difficult to imagine that he once sought comfort in alcohol and drugs at just 12 years old. He grew up in a broken home, without love from his parents.
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His family home wasn’t a happy one: his father drank a lot. His mother knew God, but she didn’t practice her Christian faith because of the persecution faced by believers in their indigenous tribe.
But, when she saw her son drinking and using drugs, she decided to send him to the Children’s Center. After arriving at the school, Abnober quickly began to change.
“For me, this place is a great blessing because, since I arrived, I have learned many things. The education in my community is not as good as it is here. I learned how to work as a team, and I met people who love God. It made me grow more in the knowledge of the gospel and in my spiritual life. It is like my second home.”
And in Abnober’s tribe they do not celebrate Christmas.
“As a tribe, we don’t know about Christmas. At the end of every year, my people make a male figure that’s stuffed and is dressed up. At midnight on the last day of the year, the figure is set on fire. This is their tradition.
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“We celebrate Christmas as a family. We get together on December 24, eat and tell stories. It’s like a family reunion. This period is of thankfulness that God has granted me another year and that I can celebrate the birth of Jesus – that he lived as a human and died for us.”
Oscar
Oscar (19) is from a community controlled by guerrillas – a risk to his parents who, as pastors, are often threatened. Other pastors in the region were nearly killed for preaching the gospel there.
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“My parents were threatened; they could not preach, evangelize or worship in family homes, not even in the church. They said nothing to my brothers or me, so as not to generate fear. Although sometimes armed people came to speak to my father, threatening that if he did not stop preaching he would be killed. My parents feared being hurt, but they never gave in to threats. God kept them safe.”
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Celebrating Christmas can be a danger, as it can draw attention to the family.
“We don’t decorate our house. Instead, we hold a church vigil on the 24th until midnight, sometimes all night. On the 25th, we return to the church for a service. Then we take a walk to the river and have lunch with our family. It is a time of rest, giving thanks to God for the past year, as we prepare for the coming year.”
Prayer
Timoteo
- Esdras: “Pray for my future. For my community, that God soften their hearts. And for Colombia and the situation we are in.”
- Abnober: “Pray for my mother, that she will stand firm in God. Pray that my whole family will be converted, especially my grandmother and cousins. May they see the glory of God through my mother. For my parents, may God protect them. And for me, for my study. May God give me strength.”
- Anny: “Pray for my studies, my family and for my health. Since last year I have had stomach problems. I have had a lot of medicine but the pain has not gone away. I have taken X-rays, but nothing is ever found.”
- Oscar: “I would like you to pray for my family because we are going through difficult times, especially our health and finances. And for me, so that I continue to seek God.”
- Timóteo: “Pray for my family, especially for those who don’t believe in God. Pray for my community, Colombia and for my future career.”
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Date published: 23/12/2020
Feature image: opendoorsinternational.exposure.co
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