Christmas in Kurdistan, N. Iraq

The Church in Iraq has a long standing tradition of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.  Although Christians are currently a minority, until the 7th century, they were the majority religious group with many churches in the region.  Nominal Christians, Catholics and evangelical Christians in Iraq now number approximately 600,000, most of whom are located in Kurdistan, Northern Iraq.

In our church plant in the north, for several weeks the children work very hard rehearsing Christmas songs and a drama and then proudly present it in the Christmas service.  There are beautiful decorations in the church, and special foods and sweets served after the service.

Church members visit refugee camps during the month handing out food packets and sharing the Christmas message to families.  The youth go along singing carols. With so many families in crisis, what a special joy it is to share the Hope in Christ we have because of His birth!