'How can we not offer a prayer?'

China | Christmas means crackdown on some Christian worshippers | Priya Abraham

Christmastime in China's cities brings Santa Claus decorations, shopping, and Christmas Eve revelry. But the season also inspires worship, when Chinese flock to the government's official Three-Self churches, forcing police in some areas to convert surrounding streets into pedestrian walkways. Underground house churches reach out to curious locals, and Christian businesses celebrate for hours with parties and prayer.

The problem is, the government has noticed. Last month word spread through house churches to avoid or mute Christmas events. Even so, Christians saw a pattern of arrests, convictions, and church raids during the holiday, revealing official worries that—apart from the glitter and gift-buying—the holiday is creating more converts.

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January 13, 2007, Vol. 22, No. 1

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