21 December 2007

What was the worst thing that happened to you today?

Here in America, we get upset when people don't honor our Christian heritage, and the fact that this is "Christmas", not some vague "holiday." And yes, even yours truly posted about it recently. I guess if that's the worst thing that happens to us today, we should be thankful that God has allowed us to live in a country such as this, where we can walk around and actually wish people a "Merry Christmas."

You see, in North Korea, this coming Tuesday won't be so merry for many Christians there. Because that darling of the American left-wing, Kim Jong Il, has made it clear that he wants Christianity--and anyone who practices it--stopped, shut up, arrested, beaten, and/or executed. From Sola Dei Gloria:
In a nation where being a Christian can bring the death penalty for the “offender” and his entire family, where tens of thousands of Christians are held in terminal prison camps, and the populace is taught to revere its dictator as a god, there will be martyrdom for Christians on Christmas Day, according to an international ministry.

“Just like on other days of the year, at Christmas time there will be Christians who perish in the death camps of North Korea, ranked No. 1 on the Open Doors World Watch List of countries where Christians suffer the greatest persecution,” said a spokesman for the group.

Reports of the execution of Christians in North Korea circulate routinely, sometimes for an offense no worse than having a Bible.

“The state is working hard to wipe out Christianity,” said Open Doors USA spokesman Jerry Dykstra.

“Nowhere in the world is such a high price paid as in this country with its tyrannical regime,” he said.

Dykstra released a statement on the “celebration” in North Korea of Christmas, as an observance of the birth of Christ one of Christianity’s most significant dates.

“No bright lights, no Christmas dinner and not even a Christmas Eve service for the followers of Jesus Christ,” will be on tap for the holiday.

So, when you look at the gifts under the tree, and you open your presents, and you wonder if you got enough stuff for your kids, or if they'll whine and pout because they didn't get everything they wanted--get over it. Just be glad you're all alive and able to celebrate Christmas.