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For the Christian children of Iraq, there's a lot of excitement when Christmas is so soon!
Recently, Open Doors' partners visited the Church of Saint John the Baptist in the Nineveh Plains, an area in northern Iraq home to many Christians. It's now the eighth Christmas after the Nineveh Plain was liberated from the occupation by the Islamic State group (ISIS). Christmas continues to bring Iraqi believers together in the church of their hometown to sing and glorify Jesus' name.
"Jesus came to complete the plan of salvation, the prophecies and the Old Testament, to save us from our sins and open the doors of the Kingdom for us."
Raphael, 13-year-old Iraqi believer
A group of children who are part of a choir in the area are rehearsing for a Christmas celebration.
The 32 kids are clothed in elegant, colorful red, green, and white, the church full of their beautiful voices as they sing Christmas songs. They are accompanied by two trainers. The rehearsal is filled with joy and laughter as their warm voices sang of the coming of Jesus Christ.
During the rehearsal, Open Doors' partners met Maryam, a 10-year-old girl. What she likes most during Christmas are her relatives and friends visiting. "The King has come, and in His coming He tells us a Savior is born for you," she happily shares with a smile. She adds: "In Christmas time, I like to be at the church, listening to prayers and hymns. I really feel joyful."
Thirteen-year-old Raphael also sees the significance of Jesus' birth. "Jesus came to complete the plan of salvation, the prophecies and the Old Testament, to save us from our sins and open the doors of the Kingdom for us," he says. "Christmas has a special atmosphere where everything is beautiful.
"The lovely thing is the school holiday," he adds with a laugh. "I don't have a special wish. Whatever comes from God is beautiful."
While the children rehearse, preparations in the yard of the church continue; the Christmas tree is decorated with lights and decorations, and the nativity scene is set up.
Laban, an 8-year-old boy awaits this Christmas with hope. "I hope for peace, love, and joy to be all over the globe," he says. He wishes to come at the top of his class and that Jesus will be with his parents.
Laban also wants to share a message with you! "Jesus has come to bring people out of darkness; let's welcome Him with great cheers," he says. He closes with the words of the angels in Luke 2:14: "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, and goodwill toward men."
As Christmas approaches, 13-year-old Mironda is delighted and cheerful. She sings a Christmas song well-known in this part of Iraq. It's perhaps the perfect description of what the season means to all of us—but especially for these kids, many of whom weren't even in school yet when ISIS took over much of the Nineveh Plains.
"On the night of Christmas
Hatred will vanish.
On the night of Christmas
The earth blooms.
On the night of Christmas
War is buried.
On the night of Christmas,
Love is born."
Mironda looks forward to Christmas when she will wear her red blouse. She shares her Christmas wishes: "I [would] like the people of the country to be good and safe, live in love and peace without conflict. I wish all people to be happy with the birth of Jesus Christ."
Please pray that Christmas will be a meaningful time for Iraqi Christians; pray that there will be peace. Pray also that the children will understand the deeper meaning of God sending his Son to earth, fulfilling the promise of Emmanuel, God with us.
