Picture this! A cold, dark prison cell in northern China. A prison cell that is 20’ by 20’ and occupied by 40 prisoners. Now just picture one of these prisoners. A Chinese underground church pastor sentenced for preaching the Gospel of Christ. At 5:30 a.m., after only 4 hours of sleep, he is awakened by a swift blow from the boot of a communist prison guard. Pastor Stephen is allowed to have 1 of the 2 bowls of soup that will be his food for the day. He is fortunate today. There are a couple of noodles in the colored water. Including the one small steamed roll he is given each day, he will consume perhaps 500 calories. Now all 40 prisoners are taken to a room and put in 2 lines facing each other and forced to kneel. In front of each prisoner is placed a box containing unassembled Christmas lights. The prisoners are used to the routine from unending days of labor. The guard viciously barks out the command and Pastor Stephen quickly grabs the empty strings of lights and begins to assemble them. He takes the tiny individual light bulbs and threads the 2 small metal wires extending from the glass through the plastic holder and bends them into place. Before long, his fingers are raw. Then he puts the bulb into the fitting on the string of lights and clamps it into place. He is not allowed tools. His quota for the day – 5000 bulbs. Work will continue for 16 to 20 hours or all night if necessary. If the guards are unsatisfied with the speed or quality of the work, he will be beaten mercilessly. Such is the normal workday for this humble servant of God.

When he is taken back to his cell, he collapses on the floor and squeezes between 2 other prisoners and turns his thoughts to the Lord. He recalls comforting verses of the Bible he has memorized and thanks God for His faithfulness in spite of the hardship. Then quietly he begins to sing worship songs he has hidden away in his heart. Tears of thanksgiving begin to roll down his face as he ponders how blessed he is to be considered worthy to suffer as Christ suffered. Blessed because he is a part of the underground Church of China-the largest Church of the world, numbering over 80 million believers. A Church that is vibrant and passionate about their love for Jesus. A Church that is paying a great price with persecution and suffering for this great turning to God, but a Church that is looking forward to a blessed eternity.

Just before he falls off to sleep in complete exhaustion, his thoughts turn toward his family. With a fervent but silent prayer, he cries out to God for someone to care for the well-being and needs of his wife and children. He knows not where, but in some part of China they huddle together, many times cold and hungry with no one to earn a living. With that he falls asleep in God’s hands ready to begin another day as a shining light in the midst of the darkness.
(World Serve Ministries, P. O. Box 700787, Dallas, TX 75370-8932)


When we first heard this story, we thought that maybe we should not use these small lights that we put everywhere at this joyous season. Then we realized that maybe we needed this reminder of the price that others in this world now and through the ages have paid in the name of this great Light of the World that is the reason for Christmas. I challenge you, as you put up your lights or change burned out bulbs or just enjoy the festive lighting, pray for these Christian brothers and sisters who believe strongly enough in the Gospel of Christ that they are willing to suffer for the beliefs that many of us take very lightly. To give a gift to help the Chinese Christians, the address is above.

"The test by which men are judged lies in this: The Light has come into the world, and people have loved the darkness rather than and more than the Light, for their works were evil."
John 3:19 Amplified New Testestament
(Look up Isaiah 5:20, also)

Have a blessed Christmas Season!