Millions of Christians around the globe find themselves celebrating Christmas in silence or fear due to escalating persecution. According to the 2025 World Watch List by Open Doors, believers in some of the world’s most dangerous countries face severe consequences for practicing their faith.
In countries like North Korea, Christmas celebrations are strictly suppressed. Christians are compelled to observe the birthday of Kim Il-sung’s wife, Kim Jong-suk, instead of commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Timothy Cho, a North Korean escapee, shared with Open Doors that Christmas Eve often involves singing state-approved carols and engaging in government-sanctioned propaganda. Should Christians be discovered celebrating in secret, entire families may face arrest, imprisonment, or worse.
Worship often occurs in clandestine gatherings. One Open Doors staff member described how Christians risk their safety by simply sharing a bench in public parks to communicate discreetly. “Sometimes it is dangerous even to speak to one another,” they noted. Such gatherings, though fraught with peril, provide a vital lifeline for faith amid oppression.
The situation for Christians in North Korea worsened with the introduction of a new law in December 2020. This legislation criminalizes the production and possession of religious materials, categorizing them as anti-state “superstitions.” Violators risk imprisonment in labor camps or even execution. Reports indicate that approximately 400,000 Christians in North Korea live in constant fear of discovery.
In contrast, Christians in Somalia face persecution from Islamic extremists, particularly the militant group al-Shabab. Open Doors estimates that the Christian population numbers only in the hundreds, largely due to the forced adherence to Sharia law and societal pressures to conform. The Somali government officially bans Christmas celebrations, with Mohamed Kheyrow, director general of Somalia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, stating in 2015 that such festivities could “damage the faith of the Muslim community.”
Local Christian leaders have expressed their anguish, highlighting the dangers of any public gathering. “If one of our members were to somehow betray such a gathering, many of us would face the full demands of the law,” one leader told Morning Star News. In 2024, Somali officials reiterated the ban, warning citizens against any form of celebration.
The situation in Libya has also deteriorated. In 2021, the government confiscated Christmas decorations nationwide, and reports indicate that police forcibly shut down stores selling seasonal items. Expatriate Christians faced arrests for attempting to celebrate New Year’s in 2022, underscoring the risks associated with public displays of faith.
Meanwhile, Christians in Sudan have seen their hopes dashed following a recent coup and ongoing conflict. The war has resulted in what is described as the world’s largest displacement and hunger crisis, making Christians particularly vulnerable to extremist attacks. Reports indicate that displaced Christians were barred from holding Christmas celebrations in 2024, even after receiving verbal permission to gather.
Churches have been targeted specifically during the conflict, with attacks reported on Christian places of worship. In a shocking incident, a Baptist church was struck by the Sudanese Air Force just days before Christmas, leading to injuries and mass evacuations. Brad Phillips, president of the Persecution Project, has estimated that 300 children die each day from famine-related causes amid this crisis.
Despite these hardships, there are glimmers of hope. Christian communities persist, maintaining their faith and traditions in secret. Phillips expressed gratitude for the continued efforts of underground churches, stating, “As we gather to celebrate the greatest gift of all — the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ — remember that there are unseen members of your family still present with you in spirit.”
The reality of Christmas in these regions serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by millions of believers worldwide. As Christians celebrate in secret, their resilience and faith shine brightly, even in the darkest of circumstances.
