Christmastime for Jews Brings Prayers for Chinese Christians and Muslims

Today, my family will join untold numbers of Jews who will dine on Chinese. This has evolved as Christmas tradition: two minority groups that do not observe Christmas are brought together by their differentness to cook, dine, and continue with business.

But today brings sobering news from China that should alarm all of us, regardless of faith or nationality.

The New York Times reports a vicious crackdown on the Christian faith. Quoting now:

“Mr. Xi, apparently concerned that independent worship might pose a threat to the ruling Communist Party’s dominance over daily life in China, has sought to bring Christianity more firmly under the party’s control. The government this year banned online sales of the Bible, burned crosses, demolished churches, and forced at least a half-dozen places of worship to close. The campaign comes as Mr. Xi, the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong, has worked to more aggressively control religion across China, including the detention of thousands of Muslims in the western region of Xinjiang.”

 Christmastime for the Jews brings prayers for religious freedom. G-d bless our Christian and Muslim brothers and sisters in China.