Silent night: Ella and Lilly’s secret Christmas

For many children like Ella and Lilly, Christmas must be celebrated secretly. Your support is vital in reminding them, and other Christian children around the world, that they are not alone during the festive season.

Like so many children around the world, Ella* and Lilly* can’t wait for Christmas. As light dawns on the big day, they awaken to the comforting smell of biriyani, a special meal eaten on important occasions in the part of Asia where they live. The muffled sound of carols being sung and the bustle of preparation throng the air, decorations decking every possible surface.

From this side of their four walls, the festivities of the season can be seen throughout Ella and Lilly’s home. But from the outside, nothing looks out of the ordinary.

This Christmas party is a secret one.

In this country, being a Christian is extremely dangerous, and Christmas Day is just another day in the calendar. There are no homes covered with lights, no singing carols in the streets and no cheery greetings from passersby.

“It feels like we’re the only ones celebrating Christmas,” Lilly says. As a part of a small number of Christians in their country, the girls know this time as one of joy mingled with loneliness.

Behind closed doors

Nevertheless, they prepare to celebrate in their own way, using their school holidays to make decorations and keep the traditions of the season alive.

“Some people make Christmas trees out of paper, because decorations aren’t commonly sold here,” Lilly says. “In fact, we order Christmas trees from a nearby country. Most of our decorations are handmade, and we spend Christmas Eve preparing them.”

The two girls are joined by their parents and other believers who meet in their home for church. Regardless of the clandestine nature of their celebrations, they arrive ready to enjoy delicious food and worship together.

“Our Christmas service is usually held on the evening of the 25th,” Lilly explains. “It begins with songs from the choir, followed by Bible readings, a message and the distribution of gifts. We end with Christmas cake and dinner, along with a thanksgiving prayer.”

Surrounded by the watchful silence of their community, this secret church stands firm, quietly and courageously.

Witnessing Christ’s miracles

Lilly and Ella long for greater freedom to celebrate Christmas with their neighbours. Ella says, “I wish we could go out in public and worship the Lord – playing the guitar and singing Christmas carols. We can’t do that here.”

More than this, they yearn to share the hope they have in Jesus with their friends, but they know what could happen if they even mention His name.

“Our parents told us we cannot tell our friends what happens in our church or that we gather at our home for church,” the girls explain. “We can’t tell others, ‘Jesus loves you,’ and we can’t hang any Bible verses on our door outside.”

But they communicate the life-changing truth of the gospel in different ways. For Lilly, this looks like showing simple kindness to her classmates.

“1 Corinthians 13:4–8 has been a guiding passage for me,” Lilly says. “In this country, we don’t have the opportunity to speak openly about Christ to everyone, but we can always show His love through our actions and behaviour. I remember a time when a student asked me, ‘Why are you being so nice to me, even though I’ve been mean to you?’ I simply replied, ‘That’s what I’ve been taught – to love you. I don’t hate you.’”

Despite their circumstances, their lives are rich with signs of God’s compassionate intervention. Ella testifies, “Since I was young, I have witnessed Christ’s miracles. Our parents always ask us to pray for everything – God has been answering our prayers.”

A legacy of faith

The girls have learnt from their parents what it means to live for Christ in the face of opposition and the threat of imprisonment. Their father, Sundar*, experienced just that after attending a prayer meeting.

“Persecution,” Lilly says, “is when we learn that we must be ready to sacrifice our lives for Christ.”

The fears of losing work and being found out pursue the family. Risks are incessant, but Sundar testifies to God’s protective hand on them in difficult seasons. “Somehow, God still provided for me. I can’t even explain how. I just know his hand was over my life,” he says.

A family united in faith – as for many parts of the world where being a Christian is almost impossible, such a treasure is precious and must be protected.

Unwrap hope for Ella and Lilly

Amidst the pressures they face this season, Ella and Lilly continue to rejoice over the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem with their family. Like His humble dwelling, these girls celebrate Christmas in their own seemingly small ways, but with the brilliant joy of the shepherds and heavenly chorus.

Christmas should not have to be a time of isolation for children like Ella and Lilly. Their faith is vibrant, but it is fuelled by your essential support which enables them and their fellow believers to meet, encouraged by the knowledge that their brothers and sisters are standing with them.

Will you unwrap hope for Ella and Lilly this Christmas?

*Names changed for security reasons