Christmas always has and always will be my favorite holiday. I love everything about it – the fact that Jesus came down to earth from Heaven to redeem us, the time with family, the Christmas trees, the good feeling in the air, the smells, the songs, the lights! Christmas is just a magical time, and I love celebrating it!
When I first came to Thailand, I noticed there were buildings with Christmas lights strung up everywhere. Since I am in fact in a tropical country in October, I was naturally confused. Then our contact, Mike, explained that when you see an establishment with Christmas lights, it is most likely a brothel. That. Broke. My. Heart. Every time I passed by one of these places and saw the cheerfully twinkling lights, I was filled with sadness and righteous anger. An aspect of a holiday I love has been perverted to mean slavery, shame, and selfishness. At first I was angry that something so innocent had quickly become something so far from innocence it’s sickening. Part of me wanted to ignore those lights. But they call to me like a beacon. I just picture the girls (and possibly boys) in those places. I picture the hopelessness they feel every day of their lives. I picture these lives wasted for others’ pleasure.
As I sat there stewing in these feelings, God spoke to me. He laid it on my heart to pray. I may not be able to do anything physically, but I have a powerful weapon at my disposal. So every time I pass a brothel, I begin praying. I pray for the prostitutes inside, that they would have the opportunity for freedom and to know redemption. I pray for the men who frequent these places, that they would lose their desire for them, that they would have their eyes opened to the fact that what they do is wrong, that they would come to know Christ. I pray for the country of Thailand, that they would be redeemed and know that the sex trade doesn’t have to be a viable option for them.
Christmas lights are still a symbol for me. I still love looking at them. But they have a deeper meaning now. Christ came to the world at Christmas for me, and for the people of Thailand, and for everyone in the world. He wants to redeem this nation and the world for Himself. He came to give hope and life and freedom. I see this so much more clearly now. He desires us to walk in freedom, and He wants people to rise up to offer the freedom that comes with Christ’s love to these captives. So partner with me in prayer, please! Let’s attack the Enemy’s stronghold on this country with the weapons God has given us! And in the years to come, whenever I string Christmas lights or see them twinkling merrily around town, I will remember to pray for this country and for all of those trapped in the sex trade. As you look at the trappings of the Christmas season this year, remember these captives. Pray for them and for the Peace on Earth that only comes through Christ.
X
