SAT-7 UK Advent Prayer Day 2
DECEMBER 2
SILENT CELEBRATION
Written by Omeed Jouyandé from
SAT-7’s Persian channel, SAT-7 PARS
The quietness and calm in Iran around Christmas
time is not out of reverence for the Messiah
whose birth was part of God’s amazing plan
of redemption for humanity. “We can’t openly
celebrate Christmas and sing Christmas songs here
in Iran because of terrible oppression”, shares
Keyvan from Iran. “If we celebrate Christmas
openly the government will find out and they will
cause problems for us. So we don’t have large
gatherings and instead choose to keep in our family
group.”
Many believers are in a similar position and those
whose families are not tolerant or sympathetic feel
especially isolated at this time of the year. And
yet, regardless of background or belief, ordinary
Iranians love the Christmas lights and decorations
that cheer up the darkest time of the year. As it
happens, Christmas comes on the heels of a much-
loved traditional festival on 21 December, Yalda’s
Eve, which celebrates light and the end of darkness.
A SAT-7 PARS viewer, Hormoz, observes: “More
or less all Iranians see Christmas as a symbol of
beauty and love. Alongside the table they set for
Yalda’s Eve, many also decorate a Christmas tree,
adorn it with lights and lay out gifts.”
Ironically, while Iranians who are not Christian
may openly enjoy the outward trappings and
festivities of the season, for Muslim-background
believers, celebrating Christmas involves significant
risk. Any investigation by the authorities would
soon reveal a believer’s Christian faith and almost
certainly lead to persecution.
Some believers are able to celebrate Christmas
together with trusted friends or within families
where every member has turned to Jesus. These
believers can celebrate Christmas without fear of
a neighbour, or even someone within the group,
reporting them to the authorities. Mahnaz, a
believer in Iran, wrote to share her experience of
last Christmas: “I made friends with a young man
called Alireza who is a believer. We were able to
celebrate Christmas and worship God together with
a few others. All we have is from the Lord and we
are grateful to Him.”
Many like Dara rely on Christian content on
SAT-7: “Of course we are unable to openly
celebrate Christmas, but praise God for His
kindness – we are able to celebrate Christmas with
you and with our families in our home.”
In the darkness of these times, the light of Christ and
His message of peace, love and joy are captivating
for growing numbers of Iranians. The God of Jesus
Christ forgives sins at His own expense. He loves,
redeems and saves the sinner and brings the
believer to a place of repentance. He has promised
joy to His people when He returns to establish His
everlasting kingdom.
Arvand, a believer in Iran, writes: “Christmas for me
is the symbol of reconciliation between the Lord, the
Creator of all things, and humanity. I was lost and
now I am found; I was in sin and through the Lord’s
intervention I have become a son. In Christ we are
children of the King! What could be better?”
MAZDAK, VIEWER FROM IRAN
“I have only been educated to the
fifth-grade level, so I am not that
literate, but the kindness of the
Lord has been extended to me. I
have been a believer for 12 years, and I can tell
you that the believers in Iran have a real need to
receive these worship songs and teaching clips
from these dear pastors, to help us grow in our
understanding of Christian theology.
You are far away, and you might think that
the seeds you are spreading are going to be
trampled, or they are falling on stony ground. But
believe me, that is not so. Iran now is the good
soil, and it needs to be seeded every day.
While we still breathe, we need to be fed daily
with God’s Word. Over the last 12 years, I have
had no access to a church, and it is through
teaching clips from SAT-7 PARS and really good
programmes like
Our Neighbourhood
and
Question Mark
that I have grown. You might
think these have no impact, but believe me, these
are transforming the home of a believer into a
church.”
Give thanks for the impact of SAT-7 programmes
in Mazdak’s life and pray that He will continue to
grow in his faith.