In Matthew 16:24, Jesus says, “If anyone wants to follow me, they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.” He was not telling people to carry an actual wooden cross. Instead, He was speaking about the cost of true discipleship.
Some today think of “a cross to bear” as a personal hardship or illness. While those can be difficult, Jesus’ words went much further. In His time, everyone knew the cross was an instrument of execution. It was not a symbol of beauty or decoration but a sign of death and suffering.
When Jesus told His followers to take up their cross, He meant that following Him could require their very lives. This was a warning that loyalty to Him could lead to rejection, persecution, or even death.
Discipleship is not about comfort but about full commitment, even when the path is hard.
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
Peter, James, and John spent three years with Jesus, watching His miracles and hearing His teaching, yet He told them they were still not ready for the work He had called them to do. They needed the Holy Spirit to fill them, guide them, and give them strength. Without that, they could not accomplish their mission.
The same truth applies today. Living the Christian life cannot be done in our own power. The Holy Spirit enables believers to face temptation, pain, and difficulties, as well as to serve in teaching, singing, and helping others. This requires a daily choice to trust and surrender to God’s Spirit, allowing Him to work in and through us.
I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him [a]bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
Multiple incidents targeting Christmas celebrations were reported across India on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, according to Christian organizations and local authorities. Known incidents occurred in Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Delhi.
The reports come amid findings by monitoring groups, including the United Christian Forum for Human Rights, which documented more than 700 anti-Christian incidents across India during 2025.
In what the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) described as a particularly shocking case, a Christmas programme in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, reportedly saw a visually impaired woman subjected to public verbal abuse and physical harassment. A video cited by the CBCI allegedly shows Anju Bhargava, identified as the BJP’s city vice-president, carrying out the harassment. The CBCI said it was “particularly shocked” by the video from Jabalpur and by the broader pattern of incidents targeting Christians, and demanded the immediate dismissal of Anju Bhargava from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), citing “egregious and dehumanizing conduct.”
In Nalbari district, Assam, members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal allegedly entered St. Mary’s English School in Panigaon village on Wednesday, December 24. According to reports, they vandalized and burned Christmas banners, posters, and decorations while chanting slogans praising Hindu gods. The group also reportedly damaged or burned Christmas-related items at nearby shops, stating that they were protesting celebrations of festivals they described as being of “non-Indian origin.”
At Magneto Mall in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, a mob armed with sticks—described by sources as being linked to right-wing groups—stormed the premises and destroyed Christmas decorations and installations. The attack occurred during a statewide bandh called by some Hindu groups protesting alleged religious conversions in Kanker district. Videos shared online reportedly show chaos and slogan-chanting during the incident. Police later registered an FIR against unidentified individuals in connection with the attack.
In Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, protests and disruptions were reported outside churches during the Christmas period. In several locations across Madhya Pradesh, Christian prayer meetings were reportedly interrupted.
In Odisha, roadside vendors selling Santa caps were allegedly harassed and accused of selling “Christian items” in what the perpetrators described as a “Hindu country.” In Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi, women wearing Santa caps were reportedly confronted by men described as being linked to a Hindu vigilante group and accused of attempting religious conversion. Vendors selling Christmas-related items were also reportedly threatened in multiple locations, although specific city names were not always provided.
Christian organizations and human rights groups urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure strict enforcement of law and order and to provide protection for Christian communities.
Lamentations tells us that the love of the Lord does not come to an end and that His mercy is renewed every morning. His faithfulness is steady and sure.
People often look for God to do something unusual or to give a brand-new experience. We imagine that He might reveal something never seen before. But God often works in a different way. He does not need to invent something new each day to show His power. Instead, He may give us what is familiar, and make it fresh.
Each sunrise brings with it the reminder of His mercy. It is not a new kind of mercy, but it never grows weak or worn out. What He gives today is as full and alive as it was yesterday.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.
Arsonists damaged the Holy Redeemer Church in Jenin this week, along with attacks on a Christmas tree and the Nativity Grotto in the West Bank city. The Christmas tree was set ablaze by three Palestinians on Monday, drawing sharp condemnation from both local church leaders and Israeli officials.
Father Amer Jubran, pastor of the Holy Redeemer Church, condemned the attack in a Facebook post, describing it as a “deliberate and fabricated act carried out by outlaws.” He emphasized that the violence does not reflect authentic Palestinian or Christian culture, which he said is based on love, tolerance and coexistence. Jubran stressed that the incident does not represent the values of the people of Jenin or undermine communal unity.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry responded the following day, stating that under the Palestinian Authority there is “growing hostility towards Christians.” The ministry condemned the attacks on Christian sites and symbols, especially ahead of Christmas.
The attacks come as Christmas celebrations in Palestinian Authority-controlled areas have been subdued for the past two years due to the war in Gaza. Following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, the Palestinian Authority allowed fuller Christmas celebrations this year. However, Christian residents of Beit Jala and Nablus are reportedly avoiding public celebrations due to fear of local Muslims.
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